KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan's collaboration aims to secure a "genuine mandate" from the people in the upcoming 17th state election, says Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
The Sabah Umno chief also said discussions on seat allocations and collaboration with other like-minded parties would be handled carefully by the state leadership of both coalitions.
“We respect this process and will ensure that every decision is finalised in the spirit of consensus, as outlined by the national leadership,” he said in a statement on Friday (May 9).
Bung Moktar welcomed the outcome of the recent top meeting between Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, which agreed to strengthen cooperation ahead of the upcoming state election.
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“We acknowledge that today’s political reality demands maturity and sincerity in building stability," he said in a statement on Friday (May 9).
“We want to go into this election not only to win, but to win with honour and with the people’s genuine mandate.
"For the sake of Sabah’s future, we choose to stand together... to build a better, well-governed Sabah,” he added.
He said Sabah Barisan will fully mobilise its election machinery down to the grassroots with “100% commitment, 100% discipline, and 100% sincerity” in preparation for the election.
He said Sabah Umno believes stability can only be achieved when power is exercised with trust, and politics is conducted with respect and a clear purpose, not for personal gain but for the good of the state.
“We have learned from the past. Now we are ready to build the future together.
“For Sabah and the people, we stand united. We are mature, and we move forward,” he said.
Earlier Friday, the Unity Government Secretariat said in a joint statement that Anwar and Ahmad Zahid had agreed that their respective coalitions cooperate in the Sabah election, with details such as seat sharing and working with any other parties to be worked out at the state level.
Chief Minister and chairman of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor did not immediately respond to the latest political development.
GRS had been open to continuing its partnership with Sabah Pakatan, but remained reluctant to collaborate with Sabah Barisan.
Efforts to reach Sabah Pakatan leaders including state chairman and Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick are ongoing.
