SEBERANG PRAI: Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (
pic) says the “Sabah for Sabahans” sentiment being promoted by certain quarters ahead of the upcoming state election is divisive.
The deputy prime minister said it is also counterproductive as Sabah is a member of the federation, and maintaining a close relationship with Putrajaya is key to the state’s prosperity and development.
“We want cooperation between parties at both the federal and state levels so that there are no ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ sentiments. After all, we are all Malaysians,” he told reporters after an event here today.
Zahid said Umno wants to contest the seats it won in the previous Sabah state election, which he said is a prerequisite for talks on cooperating with the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
He said while BN had 14 assemblymen, and GRS had 11 after the last state election in 2020, GRS now has 42 as a result of party hopping.
It was previously reported that Sabah BN was eyeing 38 seats in the state assembly.
Last Friday, the unity government coalition secretariat announced that Pakatan Harapan and BN had agreed to work together for the state election.
In response, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said the ruling coalition was ready to contest solo and focus on working with other local parties.
He said GRS had consistently held that local Sabah parties should be the backbone of the state government as they have a better understanding of the realities, cultures and needs of Sabahans. - FMT
