BARISAN Nasional (BN) aims to win at least 15 parliamentary seats in Sabah through its collaboration with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the general election.

Caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he is confident that the spirit of cooperation between the BN and GRS machinery would help them achieve the target, including the seats in zone five of Sabah covering Beluran, Libaran, Batu Sapi, Sandakan and Kinabatangan.

“In Sabah, I am told that (BN-GRS) can contribute a minimum of 14 (parliamentary) seats towards (the formation) of the federal government. The formation of the federal government is dependent on the seats in Sabah.

“As such, I’m counting on the contribution (of Parliamentary seats) from Sabah, especially the zone five areas,” he said in his speech at a meet-and-greet event with the people of Libaran at the Gum Gum People’s Housing Project in Sandakan today.

Also present were Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Bung Moktar Radin, who is also state BN chairman, and BN candidate for the Libaran parliamentary seat Suhaimi Nasir.

BN, which comprises UMNO, MCA, MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, has forged a collaboration with GRS, which is made up of Sabah Bersatu, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Sabah Progressive Party and United Sabah National Organisation, to govern the state.

This collaboration, which will continue the general election, sees BN and GRS fielding their candidates in 12 and 13 seats respectively, out of the total of 25 parliamentary seats in the state.

Ismail said he was impressed with the closeness of the BN-GRS machinery and was confident that the unity and spirit of cooperation could contribute to their victory, especially in the Libaran parliamentary constituency.

The Umno vice-president also reminded the people, especially Sabah folk, to choose a party that can defend their destiny, take care of their welfare and provide prosperity for a better future.

According to him, BN is a coalition capable of providing the best service to the people through various high-impact development projects, such as the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway.

He said this was different compared to Pakatan Harapan, which helmed the federal government for 22 months after the 2018 general election, failed to fulfil its promises and instead cancelled development projects approved by BN.

In the general election, Suhaimi will be involved a six-way fight with Dr Peter Jr Naintin (PH), Sh Bokrata Sh Hassan (Warisan), Noordin Khaning (Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah), Jeffri Pudang (Pejuang) and Amdan @ Saban Tumpang (Independent). – Bernama, November 15, 2022.