Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim has played down the coalition’s clashes with allies Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Barisan Nasional, describing these as merely “friendly” contests.
Anwar said this was not an extraordinary situation in Sabah as the Bornean state had unique political dynamics, with the parties involved having varying grassroots strengths in different areas.
“GRS-PH, BN-PH … there are just one or two ‘friendly fights’ between us. It’s okay lah,” he told reporters briefly here today.
The prime minister was asked to comment about the overlapping seats when PH had reached electoral pacts with both GRS and BN.
GRS and PH candidates will vie against each other in Kemabong, Bandau and Moyog, while PH will have to contend with BN in Karamunting and also in Kemabong.
Yesterday, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reminded his election machinery not to attack the candidates fielded by PH in areas where they are clashing.
He admitted that these clashes were unavoidable but said it was important to preserve the good ties between both coalitions.
GRS chairman Hajiji Noor had also said the clashes with PH would merely be friendly contests.
