Barisan Nasional (BN) will only finalise its candidate for Sabah chief minister after securing a substantial number of seats in the ongoing state election, where it is contesting in partnership with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Negotiation Framework Already in Place
BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasised that the coalition has prepared a clear negotiation framework for selecting the chief minister. “We have agreed that the moment we win a significant number of seats, only then will we conclude the negotiation process,” he explained. The decision, he added, will be made through syura, or mutual consultation among leaders. Priority, he stressed, will be given to seniority and hierarchy within the party.
Zahid made the remarks to reporters after launching BN’s manifesto for the Sabah election on Saturday.
No Official “Poster Boy” Named Yet
To date, BN has refrained from naming or hinting at any specific candidate as its potential chief minister. However, Sabah BN chairman Bung Moktar Radin has publicly stated his readiness to assume the role should the coalition receive a strong mandate from voters.
Current Alliance Limited to Pakatan Harapan
On the question of broader political cooperation, Zahid clarified that BN’s current partnership for seat allocation and government formation is confined to Pakatan Harapan. “We have a complete understanding and cooperation covering all seats contested by both BN and PH candidates,” he said.
Confident Despite Campaign Attacks
Addressing criticism and attacks from opponents during the campaign trail, Zahid said BN remains unfazed. “We are confident that continued support from the national leadership will energise our candidates. If possible, we aim to win every seat, but realistically we know we must work hard,” he noted.
He added that BN possesses strong responses to counter opposition narratives and believes the momentum is shifting in its favour. “We want to turn Sabah blue again. Under previous BN leadership, Sabah was once among the most developed states in the country,” Zahid said, invoking the coalition’s historical track record in the state.
