Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) chief Joseph Kurup said BN’s share of the Sabah bumiputera votes, especially from the non-Muslim bumiputera, in the 13th general election showed a decline.

"There are six parliamentary constituencies in Sabah, including Pensiangan, which are at risk (for BN) in the GE14," he said.

In this regard, he said BN should think of effective ways to command support from voters in the next general election, Bernama reported.

He also proposed to the federal government, to set up a special body to focus on developing the bumiputera economy in Sabah.

He said setting up of such a body was not only important, but also seen as a proactive approach in opening up opportunities and injecting new hope to people at the grassroots level.

He said the special body, should carry, among others, five main objectives, namely increasing entrepreneurship, enhancing human capital, boosting land assets, increasing equity ownership, and boosting educational development and welfare.

"PBRS hopes the proposal of setting up the special body be given serious consideration," said Kurup, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's, in his policy speech at the triennial conference of PBRS, today.

The conference was opened by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also BN chairperson, with Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman also present.

Kurup said the setting up of such a body could also boost the Sabah bumiputera community's confidence in BN.

"BN cannot just channel the political message but what is more crucial is effective delivery, such as through the economic message."

He said Sabah would continue to develop and remain strong under the BN government which always cared for the needs of the people in the state.

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