KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah-based Perikatan Nasional component party says the party should stay from the coming state polls.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said this is in line with the party's stance against national parties contesting in the upcoming Sabah election.
"We are still part of PN and I have said that PN should not contest in the Sabah state election.
"They (PN leaders) were upset but this is our stand," he said after SAPP's bi-annual conference.
Yong said SAPP, which is also a part of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will contest under the ruling state coalition's ticket in the next Sabah election.
He was asked to comment on the status of SAPP's relationship with PN ahead of the state polls.
Yong said that SAPP has been consistent in urging national parties against contesting in the state.
"But there is no law prohibiting (any party from contesting), so there is no need (for anyone) to get upset over our stand."
The former chief minister previously said the presence of national parties in state elections was a form of "interference" in Sabah's matters.
He also said SAPP would not change its stance even if GRS decided to work with national parties in the coming state election.