KINABATANGAN, Oct 1 — The Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership should give the chance to candidates from Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) to contest in new areas if there are additional seats in the state, said PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

The Deputy Chief Minister said this would allow for power-sharing within BN.

He added that the PBS had many quality candidates who could contest during the coming general election.

A candidate who is picked to contest in a general election goes through a selection process with the consent of the party’s Supreme Council, he told reporters after officiating the PBS Kuamat division annual general meeting, here yesterday.

He was asked to comment on the call by party members from PBS Kuamat division who wanted the BN leadership to give PBS the chance to contest if the Bukit Garam state assembly seat was created.

Pairin said the party also hoped that the Langkon state assembly seat in the Kota Marudu parliamentary constituency be revived to allow PBS to fight for the residents as well and enhance its services to the people in the area.

Earlier in his speech, he advised party members not to accept any unverified information from anyone who was trying to poison the minds of the people and create rifts in the party leadership including BN component parties.

He said they should work together towards achieving the party’s objectives through cooperation with BN.

He added that this was in line with the party’s objectives and struggles. — Bernama