KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan have begun discussions on a possible electoral collaboration in the coming state polls.

Both sides expressed their expectations for the upcoming elections and have agreed to establish a communication platform before the election.

In a joint statement signed by representatives from Sabah Barisan, PKR, PBRS, DAP, MCA, MIC, Upko and Sabah Amanah, the two coalitions stated that this decision came following an unofficial meeting held at a hotel in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

This is the first time a statement has been issued pertaining to this matter.

“Barisan and Pakatan met with the hope of forging a working spirit in line with the intentions of both party leaders, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,” the statement read.

“In this meeting, both parties shared the aspiration to ensure that the basis of cooperation is to benefit the people and state of Sabah.”

The statement said both parties agree to create a communication space to enable them to move together, including being open to working with other parties as they prepare for the coming state election, it added.

Both parties also agreed that any future understanding would be achieved through discussions and understanding between the leaders of both coalitions.

The statement was jointly signed by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Sabah Umno chairman), Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (Sabah PKR chairman), Datuk Teah Heok Kuin (Sabah MCA chairman) and Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS chairman).

Other signatories were Datuk Donald Mojuntin (Upko deputy president), Peer Muhmad Kadir (state MIC chairman), Lahirul Latigu (Sabah Amanah chairman) and Jannie Lasimbang (state DAP vice chairman).

Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Ahmad Zahid said any possible collaborations for the state polls should be based on cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.

“This needs to be strengthened at both the central and state levels, as is also proposed for Sabah.

“This was the decision reached during a recent unity government secretariat meeting,” Ahmad Zahid added.

He also said Barisan is keeping its options open.

“The deadline of the Sabah state election is October 2025. There is still time. We are not shutting the door on potential collaborations with other party coalitions.

“This aligns with the stance of the Prime Minister, who serves as the chairman of the unity government coalition,” he said after launching the Youth Socioeconomic Empowerment Plan, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the economic and social well-being of young people.

On Sunday, Bung Moktar had said Sabah Barisan must be ready to face the possibility of contesting alone in the upcoming Sabah election if negotiations with other parties fail.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/06/sabah-parties-discuss-potential-electoral-alliance