SEAT SWAPPING IN THE MAKING?February, 17, 2008 (Source: Daily Express)

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Upko backroom boys are rumoured to be sending feelers to work out a strategic deal to stop indigenous votes from going to the opposition.

Though denied by their leaders, both sides are said to be trying to swap areas and change their candidates in at least two state and two parliament constituencies.

However, no officials have reached the president’s level of both parties who publicly said yesterday that they would contest the seats they stood in the 2004 elections.

“In the context of strategy, we are always ready to make certain adjustments to strengthen our positions,” PBS president Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan said after chairing a supreme council meeting.

He said as a Barisan partner, they were always in touch with each after but did not specify if there were any negotiations to swap seats.

Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said; “We have no discussions at this stage. (at least) not with me.”

Dompok, who was speaking to reporters after a briefing for Upko members on the electoral process by the Election Commission here, said his party was happy with the seat allocation but were prepared for more if they were given.

A third Kadazandusun party, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup told reporters after the supreme council meeting that his party was contented with his single Sook state and Pensiangan parliament seat.

Kurup is set to take over the Pensiangan parliament seat held by his secretary general Datuk Bernard Maraat, while his Sook seat will be taken over by Datuk Elron Angin, the party vice president. Maraat did not attend the PBRS meeting.

Confirmed in the PBS line up of 13 state and four parliament seats is Pairin who declared on the day of the dissolution that he would be defending his Tambunan state and Keningau parliamentary constituencies.

Pairin said yesterday’s supreme council gave him the mandate to decide on the candidates and denied a local newspaper report that Kadamaian state incumbent Herbert Timbun Lagadan had been dropped. Herbert did not attend the PBS meeting.

“I prefer to keep all the incumbents. But that depends on the field reports that are sometimes exaggerated or are without basis,” said Pairin who kept mum about talk of changes to eight state and two parliament seats.

With the exception of Labuk incumbent Datuk Michael Asang who is retiring, PBS also holds the state seats of Tandek, Inanam, Matunggong, Kiulu and Tanjung Aru while parliament seats are Kota Kinabalu and Batu Sapi.

Two PBS deputies Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, who is Minister in Prime Minister’s Department and state minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai who are only holding two seats are expected contest to one seat.

Dompok, however, did not confirm nor deny whether he will remain in Ranau or return to his hometown seat of Penampang.

He said the Kuala Penyu state seat, which former Upko secretary general Datuk Wences Angang lost to independent candidate Datuk John Ghani, an ex-Umno member, will see a fresh face.