Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Umno Chairman Datuk Bung Moktar Radin said Barisan Nasional (BN) has not decided on the number of seats it will contest in the coming 17th State Election.
“If possible, we will contest all seats that we can win. If we can win 40 seats, then I want BN to contest 40 seats,” he said.
Regarding potential discussions with GRS, he said “any negotiations or discussions with GRS, let us discuss directly because I do not want intermediaries – there is no need for that. We only need clean hearts and souls.”
The Lamag Assemblyman also said BN has yet to hold direct discussions or one-on-one negotiations with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) regarding potential electoral cooperation.
Speaking to reporters after attending the Madani Rural Leadership Empowerment Convention at the Sabah International Convention Centre on Tuesday, the Kinabatangan MP said Sabah BN remains committed to working only with parties that demonstrate genuine sincerity and transparency.
“I will only seek cooperation with parties that show transparency, sincerity and do not deceive. If a party likes to cheat, there can be no cooperation.”
He said BN’s stance on sincerity means that once agreements are reached, they must be honoured without fail.
“Sincerity means when we agree on something, we will not renege on it. Words must be kept, promises must be fulfilled - that is the condition. I dislike leaders who shed crocodile tears,” he said.
While not ruling out cooperation with any party for the state election, Bung insisted that such parties must demonstrate genuine change and sincerity.
Bung also suggested it would be more practical to consider unity after the state election to determine each party’s actual electoral strength, adding that Sabah BN maintains cordial relations with Pakatan Harapan, though several matters still require discussion in any potential negotiation process.
