MEMBAKUT, Aug 7 — Barisan Nasional (BN) intends to contest at least one state seat (DUN) in every parliamentary constituency in Sabah during the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN), said BN Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Mohamad, who is also the Deputy President of UMNO, said the strategy is aimed at ensuring BN has a presence in all 25 parliamentary constituencies in Sabah, which collectively comprise 73 state seats.
However, the Foreign Minister and Member of Parliament for Rembau clarified that the plan has not been finalised and will require further discussions with BN component parties — UMNO, MCA, MIC, and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).
“We don’t want a repeat of what happened previously. In the last election, there were parliamentary constituencies without a single BN candidate. As a result, our grassroots supporters in those areas were powerless during the election.
“This leads to frustration and disillusionment among our supporters, and eventually, they may abandon the party,” he said during a press conference after officiating the Kimanis UMNO Division Delegates’ Meeting at the Membakut Open Hall today.
The five-year term of the current Sabah State Assembly will automatically dissolve on November 11 unless it is dissolved earlier, paving the way for the 17th state election.
Meanwhile, Mohamad urged the public — especially UMNO members — not to fall for slander and false allegations claiming that the party has formed an alliance with the Democratic Action Party (DAP).
“BN, and UMNO in particular, has never merged with any party after the 15th General Election (GE15). Instead, BN formed the current government together with Pakatan Harapan (PH) based on an agreement with the coalition.
“UMNO and BN joined the government not for political gain, but to ensure the country is governed properly. After GE15, no single party had the majority to form a government on its own,” he explained.
He added that BN, as a party with a long-standing experience in governing the country, accepted the call to prioritise national stability and agreed to form the Unity Government post-GE15.
— BERNAMA
