SEMENYIH: Barisan Nasional will hold discussions with all parties, particularly those forming the Sabah government, on the selection of candidates for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections following the death of incumbent Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the matter must be resolved through negotiations as the coalition is currently part of the state government.
“As we are part of the Sabah government, it is not impossible for us to engage in discussions not only with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), but also with other parties that previously contested in Lamag.
“For the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat as well, we will hold discussions. If negotiations can be conducted with all parties, that would be a better approach, especially since there are still up to 24 months remaining in the parliamentary term,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Bung Moktar, 66, died at a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on Dec 5.
The Election Commission has announced that a special meeting will be held tomorrow (Dec 16) to determine key dates for both by-elections.
The Sabah government consists of GRS, Barisan, Pakatan Harapan, Sabah STAR, Parti KDM, Upko and five independents.
