PENAMPANG: Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) will contest the upcoming state election independently, announced president, Datuk Peter Anthony.
"We will contest more than 30 or 35 seats, maybe even half. In all the KDM areas, we will definitely field candidates", he told reporters during a press conference at the party headquarters here.
Peter said there are no plans to collaborate with his former party, Parti Warisan, led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Peter, who is also the Melalap state assemblyman, added that KDM has agreed to join the federal unity government following the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's decree to ease the political climate in the country.
"Whether it's Barisan Nasional, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, or the Democratic Action Party at the national level, we are together," he said.
Peter highlighted KDM's recent success in the Kota Marudu area, where KDM's Datuk Wetrom Bahanda defeated Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili in the 2022 general election.
"This shows that the people of Sabah want change and are willing to support parties like KDM," he said.
KDM will unveil its manifesto and reform movement this Saturday in Papar, he added.
In another matter, Peter stated that the party has developed a contingency plan in case his appeal against a corruption conviction is unsuccessful.
On Nov 27, the Court of Appeal is set to deliver its final appeal decision on the former Sabah Infrastructure Development minister's appeal to quash his conviction and sentence for falsifying documents related to a Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) maintenance and service contract.
"As president, I can say that we are prepared for it. In fact, all the leaders are also ready, " he said.