PBRS defending seats, not dropped from race

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KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) is confirmed defending the Sook state and Pensiangan parliamentary seats currently held by incumbent Datuk Ellron Angin and Tan Sri Joseph Kurup respectively.

Its secretary-general Datuk Dr Johnson Tee said the party had received the letter of authority to the nomination from the chairman of Barisan National.

“This statement is issued in view of the fact that many quarters have spread the rumours that PBRS has been dropped from the race. Together with the other BN component parties, PBRS is in full gear to ensure BN win with a bigger majority in the 13th general election. BN members are steadfastly moving in unison to ensure BN’s victory again.

“I will personally visit all the 21 PBRS divisions to ensure members’ full commitment in the coming election,” Johnson said in a statement yesterday.

Kurup was reported to have said that his party is confident of defending the two seats for BN.

“We are confident but we don’t want to underestimate the other persons.

“We still have to work hard and we are working out a strategy in the hope we will be able to convince our supporters,” he said.

In fact, he said PBRS had received additional seats but in the end the party agreed with the prime minister that PBRS would be given “compensation” in terms of other posts later.

He added PBRS would definitely be given additional seats once the re-delineation of the electoral boundary is completed.

Kurup won the Pensiangan seat uncontested in 2008, a result that was upheld by the court after it was challenged by the disqualified candidate then.