PENAMPANG: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan) expressed confidence it could win several seats in the Sept 26 election to become part of the next state government alliance.
Party advisor Datuk Francis Goh said Gagasan intends to form the state government with like-minded parties particularly locally based ones when the situation arises.
"Our first priority is to form an alliance state government with local-based parties. I see a lot of local parties which have potential to win in several seats in this state election.
"We can see Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that are not associated with peninsula-based parties," he told reporters after the unveiling of his party manifesto dubbed 10-Gagasan Struggles here today.
Among the three local parties, Goh claimed Gagasan is the most genuine local based political party that has no support and connection with peninsula parties.
However, he also said the party would be willing to form an alliance with federal-based parties should the need arise, noting such a move would be a last resort.
Goh was former Sabah MCA deputy chairman and contested for the Kapayan state seat in the 2018 election. This time, he is vying for the Inanam seat in a 10-cornered fight.
Gagasan was founded in 2013 but only became active in 2016. Not much is known about the sleeping party until recently.
Early this year, a move was initiated to unite four local parties namely Gagasan, PCS, Parti Anak Negeri Sabah, and Parti Hak Sabah to create a new state opposition alliance.
All the parties were to be parked under the existing Gagasan. Under the agreement, all parties would be dissolved while Gagasan alliance was to be renamed. The alliance was to be led by former Umno leader Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
However, such a move did not materialise and Anifah went on to lead PCS.
Speaking on the party's decision to contest, Goh believed Gagasan was the only party that could give opportunities to young people to get involved in politics and run in the election.
He also stressed on the party's commitment to regain Sabah's right as enshrined under the Malaysian Agreement 1963, empower women and youth, improve security and migrant policies, and initiate Gagasan Borneo.
The Gagasan Borneo, which is among the party's 10-point manifesto, touched on formulating alliances with Sarawak's ruling party to demand Sabah and Sarawak rights as top priorities.
The manifesto also focuses on pushing Sabah to a position with a better economic survival plan, human capital development, agriculture development, and tourism development, among others.
In the state election, Gagasan is fielding 28 candidates of various backgrounds.
Present at the unveiling of manifesto were Gagasan candidates Chong Tze Kiun (Api-Api), Datuk Dr Hiew King Cheu (Luyang-Luyang); Rizawani Fiona Heng (Tanjung Aru), Stephen Jimbangan (Kapayan), and Evelyn June Charlie (Limbahau).
The party is also contesting in Bengkoka, Matunggong, Tempasuk, Pantai Dalit, Karambunai, Darau, Petagas, Klias, Kuala Penyu, Lumadan, Sindumin, Kundasang, Paginatan, Tambunan, Kuamut, Sukau, Segama, Silam, Kunak, Balung, Sri Tanjong, and Kukusan.
