Sabah State Election: DAP Eyes Two Interior Seats, Plans to Contest in Tanjung Aru – Loke

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 29 – The Democratic Action Party (DAP) has identified at least two state assembly seats in Sabah’s interior that it is considering contesting in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election (PRN).

DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke said the party also intends to contest the Tanjung Aru state seat as part of its strategic preparations ahead of the polls.

He explained that this move is aligned with DAP’s target of fielding candidates in eight to ten constituencies for the state election.

“We are still in discussions with our allies in Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS). We hope to increase the number of state assembly seats we contest,” Loke told reporters after officiating the pre-launch of the BAS.MY bus service at KK Sentral today.

Loke, who is also the Minister of Transport, stressed that the party’s ambition to contest in the interior was not an experimental move but one grounded in experience and track record.

He noted that DAP had previously contested in the Bingkor constituency in earlier state elections, giving the party some familiarity with the dynamics of rural Sabah.

“Our election strategy is pragmatic and practical. We are not looking to contest in too many seats or in areas where we lack grassroots support.

“We only contest where we have established presence and have been actively working on the ground. The goal is not just to make up the numbers but to secure victory in the seats we contest,” he said.

In the 16th Sabah state election, DAP contested seven seats and won six — namely Luyang, Likas, Kapayan, Sri Tanjong, Elopura, and Tanjong Papat.

However, in 2022, two of its elected representatives from Elopura and Sri Tanjong defected to Parti Warisan.

— BERNAMA