KOTA KINABALU: Perikatan Nasional (PN) aims to take over the state government during the state polls via close collaboration with local based parties.
PN secretary-general Datuk Hamzah Zainudin said when the alliance was formed early this year, among the first to join the coalition was Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
"I also want to extend my gratitude to Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) for (recently) joining PN.
"Although Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has yet to join but they are supporting us," he said, adding all the support towards the alliance was in the name of "Perikatan Nasional team" which, according to him, would together regain Sabah on polling day on Sept 26.
Hamzah, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary-general, said this during the PN's inaugural gathering with its component parties ever since its inception in March, which also saw the launch of the PN logo.
Also present were Bersatu state liaison chief Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor, Jeffrey, SAPP chief Datuk Yong Teck Lee, PBS secretary general Datuk Jahid Jahim, PAS secretary general Takiyuddin Hassan and state PAS commissioner Mohd Aminuddin Aling.
Hamzah said each leader of the component parties had its own leadership qualities that could benefit the people of Sabah.
Jeffrey was described as a small-figure but a vocal leader that had been fighting for equality, mutual respect among the people of Sabah and other states in the country, he said.
As for Hajiji, Hamzah said the incumbent Sulaman assemblyman was bold in defending the sovereignty of the state while Yong was a wise, bright leader.
During their respective speeches, these three leaders had unanimously agreed that Malaysia handled the Covid-19 crisis well under the leadership of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Hamzah, who is also the Home Minister, pledged that the Federal government would continue to complement the efforts of protecting and fighting for the betterment of Sabah.
When asked about the absence of Umno representatives later, he explained that the party was not in the coalition but it had pledged their support towards PN.
"Their intention to support us is what's paramount to us."