BANGI: It will be up to Perikatan Nasional’s leadership to decide on contesting the next Sabah state election, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (pic) said.

The Marang MP said this in response to Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee's statement on Sunday (Sept 1) telling Perikatan to stay out of the state election.

“That (decision) is up to us. We make that decision, not them,” he told a press conference during the State Government 4 (SG4) Summit at Tenera Hotel here on Monday (Sept 2).

SAPP is affiliated with both Perikatan and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state coalition. But Yong has urged its national coalition partners to refrain from contesting in the Sabah elections, likening it to 'interference' in state matters.

Asked about the number of seats Perikatan is eyeing for the Sabah 17th state election due by September next year, Abdul Hadi said the coalition has yet to make any decision.

“We are still discussing this. We will see what’s best for (the coalition),” he added.

Also present during the press conference were former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.

On a separate matter, Takiyuddin told the media that the opposition coalition is currently discussing with the federal government about the allocations for its MPs.

According to him, Perikatan has yet to decide whether or not it will accept the strict conditions imposed by Putrajaya.

“First of all, the title of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) says ‘allocation for opposition MPs’ instead of just for MPs. Regardless of which party they are from, they are MPs and they should get their allocations.

“We (Perikatan government in 2020 and 2021) gave the allocation to all so why can’t they do the same? Apart from that, there are several conditions imposed on us.

“Even 3R (race, religion, royalty) issues are included in this MoU. Apart from that, they also mentioned us showing support to the government till the end of the current Parliamentary term and we must declare our assets.

“The last part is strange because usually, those in the administration are the ones who have to declare their assets, not MPs without any government position,” he said.

Takiyuddin added that Perikatan is planning on responding to the government regarding the MPs allocation within this month or before the next Parliament session begins next month at the latest.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/02/perikatan-will-decide-on-contesting-sabah-elections-not-sapp-says-hadi-awang