Kuala Lumpur: The alliance of parties within the MADANI Government, specifically Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), is set to strengthen its collaboration for the upcoming 17th Sabah state election. BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasized the need for cooperation between federal and state-level parties to ensure success.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as UMNO president and Deputy Prime Minister, highlighted that BN has no intention of contesting the Sabah state election independently. He described the alliance as “plus, plus, plus,” indicating a broad openness to collaborate with Sabah-based parties. This strategic partnership aims to prevent any peninsula- or Sabah-based parties from running solo in the elections.
Ahmad Zahid made these comments during a press briefing after officiating the 79th UMNO Day celebration and the UMNO Patriotic School (SPU) convocation at the World Trade Centre. He stressed that such collaboration is crucial for the continuation of development plans in Sabah, contingent on a coalition victory in the state election.
On May 9, a joint statement by PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Unity Government Secretariat chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki confirmed that PH and BN would work together for the upcoming Sabah state election. Ahmad Zahid also urged members within the MADANI Government to refrain from raising issues about seat allocations in state elections.
He cautioned against being swayed by emotions or personal views when analyzing the political landscape, advising that matters such as seat distribution should be left to top leadership. He noted that frequent discussions occur at the leadership level, but the issue of seat allocation has not yet been addressed, suggesting that it is premature to engage in debates on the topic.
His remarks were in response to criticism from Amanah Youth exco member Fadhli Umar Aminolhuda regarding UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s rejection of a proposed 14:14 seat-sharing formula between PH and BN for the next Melaka state election.