KOTA KINABALU, Nov 13 — Seeking support from voters in Sabah and Sarawak, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said that a Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government would treat all states with equal respect even if they were from the opposing political side.

The Seremban incumbent said that if PH forms the government, they would not marginalise Sabah and Sarawak just because they were not on the same side.

"If PH forms the federal government, we will work with the state governments. We won’t penalise them, as Barisan Nasional did previously with the Opposition state government.

"We will respect the state’s authority and rights. We won’t deny them their rights or views,” he said.

Loke said that they have clearly spelled out their commitment to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and returning and giving what is due to the state according to the Constitution and law.

He further said that Sarawak and Sabah under Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Barisan Nasional respectively would benefit from a PH government, who have committed to the MA63.

"For Sabah and Sarawak to elect a PH govt, is actually a win-win situation, you already have a local party as state government right now. But if you elect a federal government led by PH, first of all, we will help to hasten the terms of restoration of MA63, and we will respect the existing government even though we are from different parties.

"The moment we are elected as the federal government we will work, together. We will commit to whatever is due to the state,” he said.

He acknowledged that both states were tough battles to fight but that they were hopeful of maintaining support in the urban areas.

"This is, after all, a federal election so the sentiments are different when we are electing the federal government so the only possible coalition that can form the federal government is the national coalition”.

When asked which coalition they preferred to work with in the event they do not achieve a simple majority, Loke said they are focused on reaching the 112 seats they needed.

"We are nearing that focus. That’s why Sabah and Sarawak votes are crucial votes for us. That’s why we have focused our campaign on Sabah and Sarawak. They are crucial to determine whether we can form a government on our own.

"If we can get some 20 seats from Sabah and Sarawak, that will help us form a government,” he said.