Sabah BN likely to reduce two-thirds state seat target

Ongoing seat negotiations with Pakatan Harapan ahead of Nov 15 nominations for the 17th state polls may see Sabah BN reducing its initial target of contesting in 48 seats, according to Bung Moktar Radin.

The Sabah BN chief said that seat allocation negotiations are in the final stage, with nearly 70 percent concluded.

“There are still a few seats that need to be finalised between BN and Harapan.

"InsyaAllah, I will meet with the leaders on Nov 3 or 4 to resolve the matter,” he was quoted as saying by the Borneo Post after attending the Sentuhan Kasih Desa@Libaran yesterday.

He also attributed the delay in finalising the seat distribution to both parties wanting to contest in certain areas.

Previously, Bung had said Sabah BN intended to contest 48 seats or two-thirds of the seats in the 73-seat state assembly.

In the last state polls, Sabah BN had won 16 seats, then allied with Perikatan Nasional and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) against Warisan Plus.

Since then, the political map has shifted - BN now has seven opposition assemblypersons, two appointed representatives, and three government assemblypersons, totalling 12 seats.

In August, Sabah Umno information chief Suhaimi Nasir said the arrangement is unlikely to see any clashes between BN and Harapan, while Harapan is also not expected to face Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) head-on.

However, Borneo Post yesterday quoted GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun as saying that the coalition will contest all seats negotiated and agreed upon with Harapan, regardless of any overlapping claims from Harapan-component United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko).

Upko wants GRS-held seats

Masidi was responding to Upko's reported plans to contest several GRS-held seats, including Limbahau, Kiulu and Tamparuli.

“Upko is part of Harapan. On that basis, we expect everyone to honour the agreement.

“If they don’t, then they are opening the door to an even wider free-for-all,” Masidi said after representing caretaker chief minister Hajiji Noor during a function in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

“For us in GRS, the seats that have been negotiated with Harapan are where we will place our candidates, regardless of whoever else contests,” he added.

Upko secretary-general Nelson Angang had previously announced his intention to contest in Limbahau, while the party's chapter in Tuaran also proposed its honorary president Wilfred Madius Tangau for Tamparuli and division deputy chief Joisin Romut for Kiulu.

The Limbahau incumbent is Juil Nuatim from Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Tamparuli is held by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president Jahid Jahim, while Kiulu’s incumbent is Jahid’s fellow party member Joniston Bangkuai.

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