Be prepared to contest alone in upcoming Sabah polls, says Bung Moktar

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional must be ready to face the possibility of contesting alone in the upcoming Sabah election if negotiations with other parties fail, says state chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

He said there were signs from certain potential partners indicating their readiness to go solo in the state election, which is due to be called at any time before September 2025.

"From several statements by local parties and certain leaders in the state, they are hinting that they will go solo in the next state election," the state Umno chairman told party members during an election preparation Gerak 17 rally in Sabah's east coast Kunak district.

Bung Moktar added that these statements came even before Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced last week that Barisan and Pakatan Harapan have finalised cooperation, including the possibility of working together with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the election.

"If they want to go solo, Sabah Barisan-Umno will not stand in their way. In fact, I invite all parties who want to contest solo in the next state election to prepare for a fierce fight from us (Barisan-Umno)," Bung Moktar said.

He added that there have been indications that certain parties in Sabah, including GRS, want to contest solo in the upcoming state election.

"If they don't retract, we are ready for a fight in the elections," he added, noting that Sabah Barisan-Umno was prepared for a multi-cornered contest if all parties decide to go for a free-for-all.

Bung reiterated that Barisan-Umno's emphasis on cooperation with any party should be based on mutual respect for electoral agreements that benefit the people of Sabah.

He insisted that Sabah Barisan-Umno machinery was ready to contest alone if cooperation or electoral pacts did not materialise before the election.

"We are constantly strengthening our party, and all party members must focus on keeping the party strong," he added.

"Cooperation or going solo will be determined later; what is important now is that Barisan and Umno need to strengthen their own machinery," he said at a similar event in the Segama constituency in the Lahad Datu district.