PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration with Pakatan Harapan (PH), ahead of the Sabah state election.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) Minister, said the cooperation between BN and PH had facilitated the formation of the government at the federal level.
"Perhaps, a similar atmosphere could be translated in Sabah," he told reporters after attending the Excellent Service Awards (APC) and Appreciation Ceremony of the Ministry of Rural Development and Territory (KKDW).
Zahid was responding to a question on Sabah Umno recently hinted it would form a coalition with any party for the forthcoming 17th Sabah state election.
Umno, said Zahid, is prepared to collaborate with strong parties in the state to establish a government.
"We have been together with our partners in the previous state government, but we have been sidelined now.
"However, this does not mean that Umno is irrelevant in Sabah. Instead, it presents a challenge to strengthen the party in Sabah, and we are ready to cooperate with any strong party to support a strong government in the state," he said.
Zahid added that Umno is ready to cooperate with parties with similar struggles.
"Umno and BN are very dynamic, and we are ready to collaborate with any political party with a similar political stance to form a government in Sabah or be part of the government."
Asked if discussions towards it have taken place, Zahid replied: "Discussions have been held several times, either in Kota Kinabalu or in Kuala Lumpur.
"We have also conducted workshops. InshaAllah, we will announce the best decision when the Sabah State Legislative Assembly has been dissolved.
Sabah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin on Saturday had said that given the current political landscape, no single party could contest the election alone.
He said that there is a need for a coalition, with any new coalition between Umno and other parties needed to be fine-tuned beforehand and the name and formation would be announced at a suitable time.
