Together as one: Ahmad Zahid (centre), flanked by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, posing with the crowd at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah Mooda@Desa X ODEC Beach Carnival. — Bernama
Zahid: Those contesting will be picked based on prospects
KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional has reiterated its commitment to avoid contesting against Sabah Pakatan Harapan in the upcoming state election.
Its chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said while the coalition acknowledged Sabah Barisan’s intention to field candidates in 48 seats, the final list of candidates and constituencies would be determined based on winnability.
"We have agreed not to clash in any seats with Sabah Pakatan. I have clearly heard the intentions of Sabah Umno and Sabah Barisan to field candidates in 48 seats.”
“Autonomy has been given to the Sabah team to decide, but we will hold another meeting with the central leadership to finalise the candidates and seats,” he told reporters while attending an event at Universiti Malaysia Sabah yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid said the party had received three to five names per seat, and the selection process would focus on identifying the most winnable candidates.
“We have also decided to ensure there will be no overlapping of seats between Sabah Barisan and Pakatan,” he said.
As for Pakatan, Ahmad Zahid said discussions on seat allocations with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) were still ongoing.
Asked how many seats Sabah Pakatan intends to contest, Ahmad Zahid said the matter is beyond his jurisdiction.
Sabah Barisan has agreed to work with Sabah Pakatan in the coming election but has mutually decided not to collaborate with GRS, although GRS continues to maintain its cooperation with Sabah Pakatan.
Earlier, in his speech, Ahmad Zahid urged voters, particularly the youth, to give Barisan another chance, saying the coalition has the experience and track record to deliver progress.
What matters most is ensuring that Sabah continues to develop and prosper with better infrastructure, he added.
Ahmad Zahid said that longstanding issues, including water supply, electricity and infrastructure, must be resolved within one term after the new government is formed.
“We are sure voters today are mature enough to choose the party or leader that can help bring a better future for the state.”
On the status of two suspended Umno assemblymen – Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy – Ahmad Zahid said he heard from the news that the two would contest under a different banner.
“So when it happens, we evaluate the legal and political aspects (on future actions),” he said.
Shahelmey and Andi Muhammad Suryady were suspended for five years for going against the party’s decision to withdraw its support for the GRS coalition government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in January 2023.
Speculation is rife that they will contest their respective state seats of Tanjung Keramat and Tanjong Batu.
