Sabah: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that it is too early to designate a ‘poster boy’ candidate for any state before an official announcement of a general or state election.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid made this remark following a meeting with the Sabah UMNO leadership. During the meeting, he provided guidelines for the party to prepare for the upcoming state election. He emphasized the importance of focusing on securing victory for the candidates rather than selecting a menteri besar or chief minister at this stage.

Ahmad Zahid stressed the need for consultation with the Sabah UMNO leadership to identify suitable candidates who could lead the state government once a party coalition attains a majority in the Sabah State Assembly. He conveyed these thoughts to reporters while attending the Lembaran Kasih Aidilfitri celebration with the Felda community at Padang Awam Palong 3.

Present at the event were Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Tuanku Muhriz, son of the
Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. Ahmad Zahid also addressed media reports suggesting that Sabah UMNO would propose its chairman, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, as BN’s poster boy for the upcoming election. While acknowledging the decision, Ahmad Zahid maintained that it was not yet the appropriate time to nominate any individual or leader for this role.