However, he said the party has yet to decide on a candidate.

“We have a long list of potential candidates and names are still being submitted by our members and grassroots in Sandakan,” he said, adding that names outside the party are also being considered.

He said PBS is prepared to work with other local or national opposition parties.

The last time PBS contested the seat was in the 1999 general election. Three years later, it joined the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

PBS quit BN following the coalition’s fall from power last year.

The Sandakan seat fell vacant after the sudden death of its MP, Sabah DAP chairman Stephen Wong, on March 28.

Nomination day has been set for April 27 while polling is on May 11.

The constituency has 39,777 voters, 49% of whom are ethnic Chinese, 44% Muslim Bumiputera and 6% non-Muslim Bumiputera.