All in: Bung Moktar (centre) inviting all parties who want to go solo in the next state election to prepare for a fierce fight from Barisan-Umno.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional must be prepared to face the possibility of going at it alone in the state election if negotiations for pacts with other parties fall through, says its chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
He said there were indications based on statements made by certain potential partners that they too were prepared to go in solo in the state election, which is due to be called by late next year.
“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,” he told party members during an election preparation Gerak 17 rally in Sabah’s east coast Kunak district.
Bung Moktar said these statements by certain parties came even before Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said 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 go solo in the next state election to prepare for a fierce fight from us (Barisan-Umno),” he said.
Bung Moktar added that there had been many indications that certain parties in Sabah, including GRS, wanted to contest solo in the election.
“If they don’t retract (their statements), we are ready for a fight in the election,” he said, adding that Sabah Barisan-Umno was prepared for a multi-cornered fight if all parties decide to go for a free-for-all.
Bung Moktar reiterated that Barisan-Umno’s emphasis on cooperation with any party should be on mutual respect of electoral agreements that should benefit the people of Sabah.
He insisted that the Sabah Barisan-Umno machinery was ready to go at it alone in the event cooperation or electoral pacts failed to materialise before the election.
“We are constantly strengthening our party. All members must focus on keeping the party strong.
“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 Lahad Datu district.
