KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan have begun discussions for possible electoral collaboration in the coming state elections.
Both sides gave their views on what they were looking at in the coming elections, and they also agreed to create a communication platform for this initiative heading into the coming state elections.
In a joint statement signed by representatives from Sabah Barisan, PKR, PBRS, DAP, MCA, MIC, Upko and Amanah Sabah, it said that this decision came following their unofficial meeting held at a hotel in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday (Nov 5).
This is the first time a statement has been issued pertaining to this matter.
“Barisan and Pakatan Sabah on Tuesday held an unofficial meeting with the hope of forging a working spirit in line with the intentions of both party leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,” the statement read.
“In this meeting, both parties shared the aspiration to ensure that the basis of cooperation would benefit the people and state of Sabah,” it stated.
It added that both parties agree to create a communication space to enable moving together, including being open to working with other parties as they prepare for the coming state election.
Both parties also agree that any form of understanding to move forward will be discussed through discussions and understandings of the leaders from both coalitions.
The statement was jointly signed by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Umno chairman), Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (PKR chairman), Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS chairman), Jannie Lasimbang (DAP vice-chairman), Datuk Teah Heok Kuin (MCA chairman), Datuk Donald Mojuntin (Upko deputy president), Peer Muhmad Kadir (MIC chairman) and Lahirul Latigu (Amanah Sabah chairman).
On Nov 3, Barisan chairman Ahmad Zahid reaffirmed his stance on the coalition's cooperation with Pakatan Harapan in the upcoming Sabah state election.
He assured that there would be no overlap of seats between the two coalitions and that they would use their respective logos.
"We will apply the same formula for seat distribution and collaboration with other coalitions, such as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS),” he said.
