JOHOR BARU: Barisan Nasional (BN) believes there are no issues with seat allocations in the Sabah state election following Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) confirmation of its cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the alliance would be harmonious if it means all parties are aligned in their mission and goals.
“There’s no problem with seat distribution. I believe we can all work together.
“What are we trying to build—a country, a state? So let’s work together.
“If we all share the same purpose—not for personal gain, but for the good of the country and state—then we move forward.
“GRS? We welcome them. BN and PH are already cooperating.
“And now that GRS has confirmed (with PH), that’s great—harmonious. We can win everything,” he said.
Johari was speaking after officiating the Pulai Umno division delegates’ meeting at the Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat Complex here today.
Also present was Pulai Umno division chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
When asked about Umno’s strategy for the Sabah polls following the three-party cooperation, the Titiwangsa member of Parliament said discussions would be held, but added that avoiding internal clashes was key.
“We’ll discuss it later. Each party has its own strategy. What matters is that we don’t clash.
“If we clash among ourselves, others will benefit,” he said.
On July 27, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor confirmed that GRS would continue its alliance with Sabah PH for the upcoming election, following agreement among all GRS component parties.
Two days later, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said BN and PH had finalised their cooperation agreement to face the Sabah polls, even as PH and GRS had also reached their own understanding.
Earlier in his speech, Johari said Umno must begin preparing now, not just for the Sabah election but also the upcoming Melaka and Johor state elections.
He said that in the previous Johor polls, Umno performed exceptionally well by winning 40 state seats and securing a two-thirds majority.
He said he hopes that the success would be repeated in the next Johor election, along with stronger parliamentary results in the next general election.
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