KOTA KINABALU: Describing clashes between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan in two seats as inevitable, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the two coalitions have come up with an understanding to minimise impact.
He said that for one, Barisan and Pakatan will campaign for their own candidate and will not use their respective machinery to help the other coalition’s prospective representative.
“We have also agreed that we should not touch or mention each other during our campaigns. The clashes are inevitable so we have come up with this understanding,” he said in response to questions at a session with the media.
Four seats will see three major coalitions contesting against each other despite earlier agreements to avoid clashes.
Prior to nomination day, Barisan and Pakatan had sought to ensure the two coalitions would not challenge each other.
Pakatan had also entered a similar agreement with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, where weeks of seat negotiations were held to avoid clashes between the two coalitions.
However, the situation was the opposite on nomination day where Barisan and Pakatan Harapan ended up fielding candidates in Karamunting and Kemabong.
Barisan’s candidate for Karamunting is Datuk Chin Kim Hiung, while Pakatan is represented by Datuk George Hiew.
In Kemabong, Barisan’s candidate Rahmah Jan Sulaiman will face several challengers including Pakatan’s Noorita Sual.
At the same seat, Pakatan is also clashing with GRS, which is fielding incumbent Datuk Rubin Balang.
In Moyog, Pakatan’s Remysta Taylor will face GRS’ Joeynodd Aiiko Roland Bansin and in Bandau, Pakatan has fielded Zaidi Jatil while GRS candidate is Redonah Bahanda.
