KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is open for negotiation on seats distribution with local opposition parties, including former State PKR chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin’s new party, to ensure one-to-one fights against Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming general election.
Christina Liew, who now replaces Lajim as acting chairperson of Sabah PKR, said that opposition parties would have to sit down, discuss and decide on the distribution of seats in meetings when the time arrived.
“Now more people want to eat the cake. We have to decide amicably how to divide the seats and things like that.
“I don’t see any problem. What is the problem?” she said when asked about the possibility of cooperating with other opposition parties, including Lajim’s new party in a press conference after chairing the Sabah PKR state committee meeting here yesterday.
It was the first meeting held after Lajim, secretary Datuk Maijol Mahap, Penampang member of parliament Darell Leiking, Moyog assemblyman Terrance Siambun, Sabah Wanita PKR chief Johair Matlani, other leaders and members quit the party to join the local opposition front.
Also present were PKR strategic director cum Bayan Baru member of parliament (MP), Sim Tze Tzin, PKR central leadership council member cum Selayang MP, William Leong Jee Keen, and PKR vice president cum Bukit Katil MP, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
Nonetheless, Liew said the party would have to reorganize its affected divisions and state election committee (JPRN) prior to carrying out negotiations with other opposition parties.
Besides, the Api-Api assemblywoman said Lajim’s new party was also awaiting registration by the Registrar of Societies (RoS), adding that she had not met or discussed with Lajim since his resignation.
“But the time will come and I think it will come soon because election seems to be near.
“There is always room for negotiations, we just want to achieve the target of one-to-one (fight with BN), if possible.”
Liew added she was still friendly with Lajim, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Bumburing’s parties.
“We are still on very friendly terms with all the opposition parties,” she asserted.