KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman has assured that all Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties in Sabah will be given a fair share of seats in the next general election.
“All parties have shown interest to contest as many seats as they can, but being in BN, we have to discuss and find the best solution for all, and I believe we will reach a consensus to fulfill our respective needs,” Musa told reporters after attending the Chief Minister’s Department Hari Raya open house at Wisma Innoprise here yesterday.
The Sabah BN chief said each component party will refer to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister to present what they believe is for the good for the party.
“Most important is that we are fair and just in the allocation of seats. However, it is also vital to ensure that candidates to be fielded will bring us victory and it is not easy to be a winnable candidate; we have to work hard and be committed towards the people and government,” he said.
“We should not just talk and slack off because the people are judging us. We have to show that we are worthy of their trust; they have chosen us so it is just fair to serve them to the best we can,” he said.
Musa also wanted leaders to ensure that all government programmes are implemented well, including ensuring that projects are completed on time to benefit the people.
“Our mission is to meet the people’s needs,” he said when asked to comment on Gerakan’s request to contest the seats currently held by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) which pulled out of the ruling coalition three years ago.
Gerakan Sabah liaison chief Datuk Gordon Leong recently said the party’s deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah (Tanjung Papat) and member Au Kam Wah (Elopura) are still in BN and are willing to continue serving the people.
“So it is not entirely wrong for them to be given the opportunity to defend the seats,” said Leong.
Asked whether Gerakan has officially submitted its request for seats in the general election, Musa replied, “Everybody has been requesting, all the component parties.”
He said Sabah BN has yet to discuss the allocation seats, stressing that they will hold a meeting when the time comes.