Sabah polls: Umno-Harapan pact to be decided at supreme council meeting

Summary

• Umno’s Supreme Council will decide on cooperation with Pakatan Harapan for the upcoming Sabah state election.

• Discussion will include a proposed MOU, seat negotiations, and a joint secretariat.

Umno’s supreme council is expected to finalise its cooperation with Pakatan Harapan for the upcoming 17th Sabah state election at a meeting tonight.

An Umno source told Malaysiakini that a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between political parties in Sabah would also be among the issues tabled during the meeting.

“These matters will be presented (to the Umno leadership). Then we will bring it to the meeting tomorrow (today), and it can be finalised and decided as part of the wish list. The cooperation and MOU for facing the upcoming Sabah state election will be decided,” the source said.

The source added that the MOU was seen as a necessary safeguard against any attempts at sabotage, including the risk of party-hopping among candidates from allied parties who win in the upcoming polls.

“The aim is to avoid what has happened in the past and ensure a more stable partnership,” said the source.

Also on the agenda is the issue of seat negotiations, which will be discussed during the meeting, expected to start at around 8pm.

The source revealed that tonight’s session will likely also touch on the proposed formation of a secretariat comprising parties that agree to work together in the state election.

“This is one of the main aims - to form a secretariat that will coordinate seat distribution to avoid clashes and ensure a united front in Sabah,” the source said.

Working with Harapan

Last night, a meeting was held between senior Sabah Umno leaders, during which matters related to the state polls were discussed. The outcome will be brought before the supreme council meeting tonight for deliberation.

On April 13, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin confirmed that the party would work with Harapan in the coming state election, expected to be held this year.

The Sabah BN chairperson said the decision was made to address public speculation over Umno’s election allies.

However, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke recently said Harapan had yet to make an official decision on whether to work with Sabah BN in the state election.

“Any decision on this matter will be made during an official meeting of the coalition in the near future,” he said.

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