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BARISAN Nasional (BN) is bolstering its alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in advance of the Sabah state election, with talks underway for an expanded coalition tentatively dubbed ‘BN, PH Plus’, according to BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He emphasised that the political strategy in Sabah would be shaped through collaboration between local BN leadership and the central leadership to ensure a unified and effective campaign.
“We leave it to the wisdom of Sabah BN, with strategic guidance from the federal level, to chart a prudent path toward achieving political dominance through consensus,” he told reporters.
Ahmad Zahid was speaking after officiating the 2025 Franchise International Malaysia (FIM) Exhibition and Conference, as well as the declaration of the ASEAN Franchise Convention (AFC) 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.
When asked about potential cooperation with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Zahid said BN remained open to working with other political parties.
“Our principle is to keep our doors wide open, and not to shut them completely,” he said, indicating that there remains room for further political alliances in the state.
Addressing the issue of seat distribution, Ahmad Zahid noted that it was too early to finalise any arrangements, with negotiations to be held in due course.
“It’s still too early to make any decision. We will negotiate thoroughly on the allocation of state seats we plan to contest,” he said.
Previously, Sabah BN had confirmed its intention to contest 40 of the 73 available state seats in the forthcoming election, with the remaining 33 earmarked for PH. - May 8, 2025