Latest news with #SabahElections
Free Malaysia Today
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
BN to field ‘solid team' for Sabah elections, says Tok Mat
Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan at the Ledang Umno division's delegates meeting today. (Bernama pic) TANGKAK : Barisan Nasional will contest the Sabah state elections as a solid team, said the coalition's deputy chairman Mohamad Hasan. Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, said BN is currently exploring cooperation with Pakatan Harapan as well as electoral understandings with local parties in Sabah in preparation for the state polls, expected this year. 'We are exploring cooperation with PH in Sabah because BN cannot go it alone there, so we need partners to face the state elections. We are still considering various aspects, especially seat distribution. 'We don't want confusion. We want to be a strong team, so that voters are not confused and will give their support to strong parties that can govern Sabah,' he said after opening the Ledang Umno division's delegates meeting. Wanita Umno leader Noraini Ahmad said a detailed sentiment study is being conducted to understand voter trends and grassroots feedback, which will be channelled directly to central, division and 'war room' leaders. She said the sentiment analysis is being conducted continuously across the country to strengthen the party, and not just for elections. 'For the Sabah state elections, the sentiment study has been completed and we leave it to the leadership to disclose the findings,' she said in Penang, after opening the Kepala Batas Wanita Umno, Youth and Puteri division delegates' meeting. Noraini said Wanita Umno is moving in step with Sabah Umno to ensure the election machinery is always at peak readiness. The five-year term of the Sabah state assembly expires on Nov 11, unless dissolved sooner. Elections must be held within 60 days of dissolution.
Malay Mail
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
No guarantees for runners-up, says Saifuddin Nasution as PKR rethinks Sabah seat strategy
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — Just one week into his new role as co-director of elections for PKR, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has wasted no time preparing for a potentially pivotal state poll in Sabah. Speaking to Berita Harian, Saifuddin, who shares the post with PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar, said coalition parties held talks three days ago in anticipation of Sabah's 17th state election. He also reportedly said the discussions — involving allies Barisan Nasional (BN), DAP, Amanah and the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) — focused on electoral data and the division of seats. 'Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional have agreed to work together in facing the Sabah polls,' Saifuddin said in the interview published today. 'We're also open to collaborating with other coalitions in the state, including Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).' Saifuddin, who also serves as the home minister and PH secretary-general, signalled a departure from past electoral strategies. In a notable shift, he said the coalition may no longer automatically allocate seats to parties that placed second in the previous state election. 'The rankings of first and second place are dynamic,' he reportedly said to the national daily. 'Some constituencies we lost in the 2020 state election later showed majority support for us in the 2022 general election. 'We're looking at current data — it's not a rule that a second-place showing guarantees a seat.' The remarks come amid growing speculation that Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor could dissolve the state assembly in late July or early August. Previously, Hajiji, who chairs GRS and leads the Gagasan Rakyat party, said the timing would be announced after GRS's annual assembly next month. Saifuddin described recent the government's meetings on Sabah as 'highly productive,' adding that the coalition was already evaluating seat demographics, candidate suitability and ethnic composition in key constituencies. The latest coordination effort comes as PH seeks to expand its influence in Sabah, where it currently holds nine state assembly seats, including two under PKR. BN, which won 14 seats in the last state election in 2020, left the ruling coalition in early 2023 following a political rift.
Free Malaysia Today
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PBS rejects working with BN in Sabah polls
PBS acting president Joachim Gunsalam said the party would remain loyal to GRS and strengthen ties with Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR). (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has ruled out working with Barisan Nasional (BN) for the upcoming 17th Sabah state elections. Acting president Joachim Gunsalam said the decision was made after a majority of the party's Supreme Council members voted against forming an alliance with BN, Bernama reported. He said PBS remains committed to the ruling coalition, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS). 'PBS also reiterates its commitment to strengthening ties and cooperation with GRS component Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), led by Jeffrey Kitingan,' he was quoted as saying in a statement today. BN and Pakatan Harapan have announced an alliance for the Sabah polls, prompting GRS to threaten to go solo. GRS and PH are currently allies in the Hajiji Noor state government, while BN sits in the opposition in the Sabah legislative assembly. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as PH chairman, has since called for PH-BN to work with the state coalition. Sabah Umno, which previously rejected working with GRS, recently said it was open to a collaboration if the ruling coalition approaches seat negotiations with sincerity. The current term of the Sabah state assembly expires on Nov 11.
Malay Mail
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
BN reappoints Zambry as secretary-general, Johari Ghani as treasurer-general
KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 — Barisan Nasional (BN) yesterday agreed to reappoint Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir as its Secretary-General and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as its Treasurer-General. Zambry, in a statement last night, said the appointments, decided during the party's Annual General Meeting (AGM), were based on Clauses 8.3 (D) and 8.3 (E) of the BN Constitution. 'The 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) resolved with full commitment to strengthen the party as an inclusive political platform and reaffirm its determination to remain united under the Barisan Nasional umbrella. 'BN also confirmed its full preparedness to face the upcoming Sabah state election, which is expected to be held in the near future. 'Political stability in Sabah is key to strengthening security, economic progress, and the welfare of the people in the 'Land Below the Wind',' he said. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
BN Supreme Council reappoints Zambry as sec-gen, Johari as treasurer-general
(From left) Barisan Nasional secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir, BN treasurer-general Johari Ghani, MIC deputy president M Saravanan and MIC secretary-general S Ananthan during a BN Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato Onn in Kuala Lumpur tonight. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Barisan Nasional has reappointed Zambry Abdul Kadir as its secretary-general and Johari Ghani as treasurer-general at a meeting today. In a statement, Zambry said the appointments were made in accordance with clauses 8.3(D) and 8.3(E) of BN's constitution. He said today's meeting also reaffirmed the component members' commitment to remain united under the BN umbrella. Zambry was first appointed BN secretary-general in 2021, replacing Ahmad Maslan. Johari, meanwhile, was first appointed BN treasurer-general in 2023, replacing Hishammuddin Hussein. BN also reiterated that it was fully prepared to face the upcoming Sabah state election, which is widely expected to be held soon. The state assembly's term will expire on Nov 11. Elections must be held within 60 days of the assembly being dissolved. 'The political stability of Sabah is key to strengthening Sabahans' security, economic progress and wellbeing,' said Zambry. BN and Pakatan Harapan earlier announced an alliance for the Sabah polls, prompting Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to threaten to go solo. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim then stepped in and called for PH-BN to work with the state coalition. GRS and PH are currently allies in the Sabah government led by GRS chairman Hajiji Noor. BN sits in the opposition.
