KUNAK: The Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) is ready for any eventuality should there be no consensus on merging with other parties for the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN), said its chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin.
He said that despite earlier assertions from BN Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi regarding a finalized collaboration between BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH), including the potential for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to join forces for the forthcoming state election anticipated next year, various local parties and certain state leaders have indicated their intention to contest independently.
“If they choose to proceed alone, let it be…in fact, I encourage all parties intending to go solo in the upcoming state election to prepare for strong opposition from us (BN/UMNO),” he told reporters after launching the UMNO Movement Program 17 for the Kunak state seat on Saturday.
Bung, who is also Sabah UMNO chief, asserted that UMNO/BN Sabah will not be cowed and advised any party that has declared its intention to contest independently to compete in all 73 state seats.
“Recently, there has been a trend among certain parties in Sabah, including GRS, to run solo in the upcoming state election. I recommend they stand by that decision, continue forward, and let us engage in a contest akin to “ayam Jantan di gelanggang”, he said.
Bung, who is also a member of the UMNO Supreme Working Council, expressed that BN/UMNO Sabah welcomes the prospect of multiple parties contesting independently, emphasizing that it poses no issue for them as they have already devised a robust strategy for the election.
Earlier, Bung launched the same program for the Segama state constituency.
