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BARISAN Nasional (BN) is open to forging political alliances with any party in preparation for the upcoming Sabah state election, according to its secretary-general, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Speaking at the Karisma Pemimpin Muda Madani 2025 event on Monday, Zambry confirmed that preliminary discussions are already taking place, although he declined to disclose the names of the parties involved.
“BN has begun a series of talks, and I can confirm that the process is ongoing,” Bernama cited Zambry saying.
He emphasised that an inclusive approach would be crucial, especially since both BN and its federal partner Pakatan Harapan (PH) have component parties based in Sabah.
Negotiations are being conducted through formal and informal channels among key stakeholders ahead of what is anticipated to be a closely contested state poll.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said on Sunday that early discussions on seat allocations between BN and PH had commenced, and a final agreement would be reached following the dissolution of the Sabah state assembly.
PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar recently urged that at least 13 seats be allocated to PKR for the state election during the party’s Annual National Congress over the weekend.
Separately, Zambry, who also serves as Minister of Higher Education, said the federal government had no objections to Sarawak’s initiative to offer free tertiary education through its state-owned institutions.
“It is an initiative made by the state government. So, we have no objection to the efforts being made because the Sarawak government has the ability,” he said, adding that it should not be challenged by any party.
He noted that the federal government is committed to cooperating with all states in raising the standard of education nationwide.
“We are also aware that in the context of the federal government, we always work with any state in efforts to further improve the quality of education, whether at the primary education level or the higher education level,” he said.
The Sarawak Cabinet in March approved the implementation of the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), which is scheduled to begin next year. Zambry stated that as long as the initiative did not breach constitutional provisions or existing laws, further scrutiny was unnecessary. - May 26, 2025