17-05-2025
BN, PH to contest as unified coalition, says Bung Moktar
Bung Moktar
KOTA KINABALU (May 17): Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) will contest the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17) as a coalition, regardless of whether they collaborate with other parties, said Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
He said both parties are fully committed to preparing early through the Gerak 17 programme to secure victory and form the next state government.
'The purpose of Gerak 17 is to build momentum and prepare to form the state government,' he said during the launch of the Sepanggar Umno Gerak 17 machinery at the Industrial Training Institute (IKM) in Sepanggar on Saturday.
'Back in the 2018 state election, we were caught off guard and unprepared, yet we managed to win 14 seats. This time, with Gerak 17, whether we end up working with other parties or not, BN and PH will move forward together. We will focus on strengthening our own machinery,' he said.
Bung also underlined the importance of sincerity in political negotiations, referring to recent remarks by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regarding coalition talks.
'When the Prime Minister says we need to discuss cooperation, I emphasise that discussions must be done like gentlemen. Don't negotiate in the morning, only to have us dropped by noon,' he said.
Describing PRN17 as a pivotal moment, Bung urged all parties involved to make the most of the opportunity.
'This opportunity may not come again. We must make full use of it,' he added.
