BN to lose if seats given to Upko: PBS
Thursday, 29 January 2004 (Source: Daily Express)

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) feels the Moyog and Kepayan seats should be allocated to the party in the coming State election.

Its Moyog divisional chief, John Chryso Masabal, in a statement Tuesday, claimed fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) component party Upko has failed to win the Moyog constituency in the last three elections.

"The people, especially those in Moyog want leaders with principles, dignity and pride for their race," he said.

"Give Moyog and Kepayan to us and we will deliver."

He described Kadazandusun-Murut leaders in PBS as capable of looking after the interest of the KDMs and hence, it would be unwise for Upko to lay claim to all the predominantly KDM seats.

John said BN stands to lose "since Upko does not have the strength to win all the seats".

He said the recent statement by Upko's Moyog Assemblyman Datuk Clarence Bongkos Malakun that his party be given both seats was surprising, particularly to the constituents.

"We don't share such kind of thinking, especially now when we are in the globalisation era which promotes exchange of knowledge and ideas.

"Such kind of statement should not be heard anymore in our society because it is arrogant in nature," he said.

John said Malakun should strive to find ways to unite the KDMs instead.

"I hope Malakun's statement does not represent the stand of Upko leadership, otherwise, it will hurt the feelings of fellow Upko members who are living outside Penampang," he said.