Barisan Nasional’s decision not to partner with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election does not mean hostility between the two coalitions, said UMNO vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He explained that the move allows each coalition to chart its own course in the polls but does not rule out post-election collaboration.
“BN-GRS cooperation is not limited to PRN17. Although this time we are only partnering with Pakatan Harapan (PH), various possibilities remain after the polls. UMNO and BN could still work with any party post-election,” Khaled told reporters after attending a zakat distribution event in Taman Air Biru here on Saturday.
BN chairman and UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed on Friday that BN would not team up with GRS in PRN17 following discussions with PH.
Khaled added that political cooperation does not necessarily have to take place before elections as it can emerge in different contexts.
“There are many forms of cooperation. Within BN itself, there is internal cooperation, and then cooperation with PH. We may not work together before the election, but after the election cooperation can still happen,” he said.
