The Parti KDM, which has a native base, is currently waiting for a response to its request to become a part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition, according to its information chief Dr Oswald Aisat Igau. The party, led by Datuk Peter Anthony, submitted its application through the Prime Minister’s office back in October, but has not received a response as of yet.
Dr Igau mentioned that the idea to join Pakatan Harapan came after a suggestion by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and they are still awaiting a decision from the coalition regarding their application
He added that they feel like they have high chances of being accepted into the coalition, especially after an ‘invitation’ from Anwar. However, there is still uncertainty as they have not heard back from the other side yet.
Currently, the only Sabah-based party in the four-party Pakatan coalition is Upko, led by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Recent political talk in the area has suggested that KDM has been sought after by Pakatan to join the coalition, with Barisan Nasional and Parti Warisan also considering alliances with the native-based interior party ahead of the Sabah elections.
In December, Oswald mentioned that KDM was keeping its options open for potential partners for the next state election, and the party has not made a commitment for the Sabah polls that are speculated to be called earlier than scheduled in September 2025.
He explained that the reason behind not making a commitment is the lack of response to their application as of that time. Additionally, he noted that both Warisan and Sabah Barisan had separately approached KDM to form a pact in the coming elections.
Ever since a failed political coup on Jan 5 last year, KDM has had uncertain relations with the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led state government. The failed coup attempt led to Barisan and Warisan, together with KDM, trying to topple the government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. However, Hajiji’s government managed to fend off the attempt and keep his government in place with the support of Sabah Pakatan representatives and Sabah Barisan renegade assemblymen.
