Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Bung Moktar Radin now says that internal talks with Pakatan Harapan (PH) on cooperation for the upcoming state elections have begun, less than two weeks after declaring that the two coalitions would be working together.
According to Daily Express, Bung said both sides had responded positively to the idea of working together, and that discussions were now centred on ironing out technical details to coordinate strategies.
He also said that BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi supported the proposed cooperation and is expected to make an official statement soon.
On April 13, Bung said that the coalition would be cooperating with PH in the upcoming state polls. He also revealed that the collaboration was finalised last year.
Bung, the Sabah Umno chief, said at that point that unofficial talks had been held with Sabah PH leaders several times before official discussions took place.
Sabah DAP chief Phoong Jin Zhe, however, said there had been no official discussions between his party and any other concerning electoral cooperation.
Phoong also said that Sabah DAP would determine its political alliances for the state polls based on whether the party was in agreement with possible allies on policy matters.
Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor has played down talk of BN tying up with PH for the state elections, saying the final decision will be up to the ruling coalition, comprising Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and PH.
GRS is part of the federal coalition which comprises PH, BN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, as well as several minor parties and independents. However, in Sabah, BN is part of the opposition while Hajiji’s government has the support of five Umno members.
Both BN and GRS are courting PH for an alliance for the state polls. While PH has said it will decide on the matter closer to the polls, its elected representatives continue to be a part of Hajiji’s state Cabinet.
