PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional’s (BN) cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the upcoming Sabah state election is expected to be a major topic at the Umno Supreme Council meeting tonight.
A source in the party told FMT that key issues on the agenda include seat distribution and potential positions in the Sabah Cabinet if the alliance wins enough seats in the legislative assembly to form the state government.
The source said Sabah BN remained firm in its plan to contest 40 of the 73 state seats, with the remaining seats allocated to PH.
“So far, unofficial discussions with the state PH have been very positive,” the source said, adding that several meetings between the two leaderships had already taken place.
“Tonight, the Umno state leadership is expected to present its proposals or demands to the party’s top leadership for proper consideration.
“We maintain the stance that cooperation at the federal level must align with the state to ensure political stability,” the source added.
The Supreme Council meeting is scheduled to take place at Menara Dato’ Onn at 8pm.
The source also indicated that Sabah BN would propose a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to safeguard against any future betrayals.
“We see the need for an MoU so that Umno is not stabbed in the back again,” the source said without giving further details.
A debate over cooperation for the state election arose following an announcement by Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin on April 13, confirming that BN would collaborate with PH.
Several PH leaders subsequently claimed that no formal discussions had taken place.
Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor, who is the chairman of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), had hinted that his coalition would likely work with PH.
Bung meanwhile previously said that BN would not cooperate with GRS. BN is currently in the opposition bloc, alongside Warisan.
The term of the current state assembly expires on Nov 11, according to the speaker, Kadzim Yahya. Elections must be held within 60 days of the assembly’s dissolution. - FMT
