Sabah polls: BN eyes 32 seats, without GRS

Sabah Umno is prepared to contest and win at least 32 seats or a maximum of 40 seats in the upcoming state polls without former ally, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), said the state party chief, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

He stressed that there would be no negotiations with GRS.

BN would be battling against GRS in at least 25 seats, he added.

“We’ve been conducting dry runs in many of our constituencies. Our machinery is strong, and we’re ready for straight or multi-cornered fights,” he told Malay Mail, adding that the seats are mainly in rural and semi-urban areas BN contested in 2020.

“I expect many six- or seven-way contests. It’s okay — everyone believes they can win. I have confidence in our ground game. This is the best way to settle it.”

BN component PBRS would be focused in non-Muslim Bumiputera seats such as Keningau.

“Yes, we’ve had discussions with Pakatan Harapan (PH). They’re going well. They’re good partners and we don’t see any major issues. They’ll do well in the urban seats,” Bung is reported to have said regarding PH.

Bung’s plans runs contrary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s wish for cooperation between BN, PH and GRS, mirroring the federal government.

Umno and GRS were allies in the polls that was held in 2020 but Umno – GRS ties collapsed in January 2023.

A power struggle happened where Umno attempted to topple the state government.

The attempt failed and Bung lost his deputy chief minister position.

For the record, PH is eyeing 34 seats in the polls.

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