Barisan Nasional wants to contest at least one state seat in every parliamentary constituency in Sabah in the coming state election, says its deputy chairman, Mohamad Hasan.
Mohamad, who is also the Umno deputy president, said this is a key demand from the Sabah Umno–BN leadership, aimed at ensuring the party has representation and relevance across the state, Berita Harian reported.
“In the last state election, there were several parliamentary areas that had no BN candidates at all. This dampened the morale of the Umno-BN members and machinery as they had no role to play during the election.
“When people are not given the opportunity, some become disheartened and eventually leave the party, and that’s not good,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating the joint Umno divisional delegates’ meeting, including its Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings, in Membakut today.
Mohamad said BN should be allocated at least one seat to contest in constituencies with two or three state seats.
“This would lift the spirits of our party members and make them feel included in the process,” he said.
Mohamad said the proposal would be discussed at the top level through Umno’s negotiation committee and among the secretaries-general of the BN component parties.
“This is my message to the secretaries-general … do not disregard this request. Every parliamentary seat must have at least one BN candidate,” he said.
Also present was Umno Supreme Council member and Kimanis MP Mohamad Alamin.
