KOTA KINABALU: Talks between Sabah Pakatan Harapan and Sabah Barisan Nasional are held consistently, although neither state coalition's head needs to be present, says a DAP leader.
Sabah DAP deputy chairman Datuk Chan Foong Hin said meetings on electoral pacts and other related matters were ongoing, with Sabah Umno treasurer and former chief minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak usually leading the Barisan side.
ALSO READ: Sabah polls may spark new alliance
He said each side has its respective approach, and when it comes to roundtable discussions, their chiefs do not always have to attend.
“I myself have yet to meet with (Sabah Barisan and Umno chief Datuk Seri) Bung Moktar Radin,” he told reporters at the State Legislative Assembly media room on Monday (July 7).
Chan said Bung Moktar’s absence could be caused by time constraints or Umno’s internal strategy.
ALSO READ: Sabah polls: PKR eyeing 13 seats, talks still ongoing (https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/06/29/sabah-polls-pkr-eyeing-13-seats-talks-still-ongoing)
He said for Sabah DAP, chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe would typically attend the meetings while he (Chan) would only turn up if Phoong was unavailable.
He said the issue of seat sharing has yet to be finalised and he believes it will only be discussed in detail and resolved after the state assembly has been dissolved.
ALSO READ: Sabah polls: PH, Barisan in final stages of talks, says Umno sec-gen
Asked how many seats Sabah DAP was eyeing, he said the party was keen on 10, as mentioned earlier, while Sabah PKR was said to be looking at 13.
“Of course, these numbers can change according to the situation. Nothing is finalised yet,” he stressed.
