BN, PH to continue partnership in next Sabah state polls, says Ahmad Zahid

KUCHING (Nov 3): Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) will continue their partnership in the next Sabah state election, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The BN chairman said the same formula will be applied, which is to cooperate with other coalition parties.

“We will not close our doors to negotiations with other coalitions but nor will we leave the door wide open either.

“This is the negotiation between the leadership of all leaders of the coalition parties,” he told a press conference after chairing the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) Development Project Implementation Briefing Session at a leading hotel here today.

He also said that the collaboration between the two coalitions in the Sabah state election would be based on the foundation of the unity government and this should continue to ensure political stability.

He was commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement yesterday where the PH chairman had said that cooperation between PH and BN should continue into the next general election in efforts to ensure the country’s political stability.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, said that in the coming Sabah state election, which is expected to take place next year, each coalition party would be using their respective symbols.

“Everyone has an understanding on this and there will be no overlapping of seats,” he said.

On the differences in opinion among some BN and PH leaders, he said these were merely their personal views.

“Their opinions do not represent the official party position,” he added.

Also present at the press conference were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang.

Anwar at an event in Penang yesterday said that in the current situation, it would be difficult for any political party to command a comfortable majority and that over the past two years, Malaysia was considered one of the most politically stable countries in the region.

He also said that political stability had caused Malaysia to have clear government policies which were supported by an efficient administration with the appointment of a new chief secretary to the government, who wanted changes among civil servants.

“If this is agreed and as we found consensus in the cabinet, I think it is appropriate for us to find a way to continue the cooperation between PH and BN,” he said.