The party lost six state seats in GE13, namely Matunggong, Kadamaian, Tamparuli, Inanam, Api-Api and Sri Tanjong.
Those who won the Matunggong and Kadamaian seats, Jelani Hamdan and Jeremy Malajad, both formerly of PKR, have since left the opposition party.
Malajad has joined Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), another Sabah BN component party, while Jelani has declared himself as a BN-friendly independent representative. He is expected to make an announcement on his choice of party soon.
PBS acting president Maximus Ongkili said the party was clear on its intentions, pointing out it will fight for all the seats.
“As far as I’m concerned, Tan Sri Pairin (Kitingan) is still the president. I am only assisting … but as of today, we will defend all the 13 seats allocated to PBS,” he told reporters after launching the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) open day here today.
The other state seats previously allocated to PBS are Tandek, Tanjong Aru, Kiulu, Kundasang, Tambunan, Melalap and Labuk.
The parliamentary seats the party won are Kota Marudu (with Ongkili as MP), Keningau and Batu Sapi. It lost Kota Kinabalu.
Ongkili also said PBS will go for the additional 13 state seats, adding the people expected this of the party too.
“Our stand has been that we should always go for it. The party is consistent; we should proceed with the seats. The new seats have gone through the process in the state assembly.
Ongkili said the allocation of seats would be clearer once the leadership meets.
“I think when the prime minister sits down with us, with Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, everybody would know more.
“But janganlah ambil semua (but don’t take all). Because BN is only strong when everybody has a role to play.
“We can deliver and we’ll work hard to deliver. We are a multiracial party and you can put us anywhere. It all depends on hard work and strategy,” Ongkili added.
He also acknowledged the 13 new state seats, which have been passed by the Sabah state assembly, have yet to be ratified by Parliament.
“It has to be endorsed by Parliament. If not, we may have to undo it (remove the new seats from the state constitution),” he said.
During his recent visit to Sabah, Prime Minister Najib Razak had told state BN leaders that the coalition should win at least 22 of the 25 parliamentary seats and 48 of the 60 state seats the BN presently holds, thus giving rise to speculation that the extra 13 state seats may not feature in GE14.
Meanwhile, responding to a snipe by Jelani that he had “overstayed” his welcome in his constituency, Ongkili said he would let the people judge for themselves with regard to his performance as the elected representative and just focus on his work.
“Well, it’s up to the people. Politics is about the people. As much as possible I would also like to move on, away from Kota Marudu, but I must also be responsible enough. As the YB (elected rep), you have to work hard,” he said.
“I make sure I carry out my responsibility as the acting president so that our seats are safe and people are served well. So, we wait until nomination day.”
Independent Jelani Hamdan to decide which Sabah party to join