KUALA LUMPUR – Barisan Nasional (BN) and its state partner Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) have yet to cement an election collaboration to avoid clashing in seats, pending feedback from their voters.
While the two coalitions have formed a committee to handle seat negotiations, Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said nothing has been decided yet and cooperation will be finalised once the time comes.
“Talks are ongoing via the committee but we also want to get responses from the people. We have to also gauge BN’s strength at the negotiations,” he told reporters after a BN event in Kota Belud, Sabah today.
However, he did not want to disclose the number of seats BN is eyeing in Sabah even though Umno and BN divisions in the state have submitted a list of candidates for consideration before they are given to the coalition chairman.
Bung Moktar also did not rule out defending his Kinabatangan seat that he has held since 1999.
Earlier, GRS chairman and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said BN had agreed in principle to work with his coalition to face the general election.
It remains to be seen if the two coalitions can maintain their ties as Perikatan Nasional, which is part of GRS, is a BN rival in the peninsula. – The Vibes, September 10, 2022
