Kota Kinabalu: Opposition Pasok (United Pasok Nunukragang National Organisation) President J. Richard Jayasuriya declared Friday that he will contest against Sabah Umno Chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman in the next elections.

"I will contest wherever the Chief Minister is going to stand," he told a press conference at the party's headquarters in Tanjung Aru Plaza, Friday.

In doing so, it became the first party to name eight candidates in the yet-to-be announced polls.

At the press conference, the eldest son of late Datuk Mark Koding, Vitos, said he will contest the Ranau Parliamentary seat.

This mean Vitos, 29, the eldest of four children of the founder of now defunct Parti Akar, will be up against his father's former colleague, Upko President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department

Richard's Deputy President Datu Abdul Razak Datu Abdul Salam will stand in Kudat, its Youth Chief Muhd Al Aprinuddin in Silam, National Council Member Gabriel Uwing Agunsung in Pensiangan and Asang Rawai (Tandek) among others.

Saying the party is still finalising the lists of candidates for the rest of the Parliamentary and State seats, Richard said they are expected to finalise within six months.

"Our members have also increased from the previous figure of about 6,000Émost of our new members are also coming from within the Barisan Nasional components especially Umno, PBS, PBRS and Upko," claimed Richard.

He claimed many Umno members in Tanjung Aru have joined Pasok until 'it (Umno division) has nearly collapsed in Tanjung Aru".

However, he said the response from Chinese members of SAPP, MCA and LDP are still slow.

Asked whether the party has been pinching members from the other opposition parties in Sabah, Richard said it never force any one to join the party and "it is all up to them to choose".

He said the party is fighting for the rights of Sabahans, which is among the main reasons why Vitos and the others are attracted to join the party.

Vitos, meanwhile, said he wish to continue with what his late father had been doing although he will have to do it through the opposition.

Although having no experience in politics, he is confident of his chances in Ranau.