2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sabah state election: BN-PH seat allocation finalised, no overlaps, says Zahid
SHAH ALAM: The issue of seat allocation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the upcoming Sabah state election has been finalised, with no overlapping of seats between the two coalitions, said BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He also stressed that no direct negotiations on seat allocation have been held between BN and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
"What has been finalised is the seat arrangement between BN and PH, and we respect the cooperation between PH and GRS.
"There have been no direct negotiations between BN and GRS — none at all. That's where things stand.
"Any other negotiations to avoid three-cornered fights or seat overlaps are being handled behind the scenes," he told reporters.
He was speaking after accompanying the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, at the opening ceremony of the 16th National Civil Defence Student Corps (Kor SISPA) Commissioning Ceremony at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) today.
Earlier reports suggested that plans to form a BN-PH-GRS coalition in Sabah were faltering due to stalled seat negotiations.
While such a coalition is seen as capable of avoiding vote splitting and securing a majority win, GRS's demand to contest at least 70 out of the 73 state assembly seats has raised concerns — especially in traditional BN strongholds.
If GRS insists on this demand, the formation of a grand coalition may fall through. However, if GRS is willing to renegotiate, a unity government at the state level remains possible.
Commenting further, Zahid acknowledged that three-cornered fights are likely in many constituencies due to the large number of new parties intending to contest in the election.
"It's a case of 'the more, the merrier'. That's just the political landscape in Sabah. But what's certain is that there will be no seat overlap between BN and PH — that's already final," he said.
