SABAH parties should support the proposal for a unity government in the state, similar to the arrangement made in Putrajaya, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

The Umno president said the idea mooted by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must be accepted by all parties in the state before it takes off.

However, the deputy prime minister said both he and Anwar agreed that there needs to be a cooling off period before the idea can be further deliberated on.

“I am sure the people of Sabah do not want more elections. It is not only tiring but at the same time burdensome.

“Democracy is not just about elections, but through an agreement among political parties determined to ensure the wellbeing of the people in the two-and-a-half years left before the Sabah polls need to be held again.

“So I hope that the welfare of the people is made a priority,” he was quoted as saying today after a Rural and Regional Development Ministry event in Kuala Lumpur.

Today, Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Bung Moktar Radin and Parti Warisan Sabah chief Mohd Shafie Apdal, in separate statements, said they backed Anwar’s proposed formation of a unity government, at a meeting with the state’s leaders in Kota Kinabalu last night.

Bung, who is also Sabah deputy chief minister, said a unity government would lower the political temperature and stabilise the situation in the state.

“I also hope that Chief Minister Hajiji Noor can accept with an open heart the recommendations made by the prime minister in order to safeguard the interests and wellbeing of the people of Sabah,” he said.

On Friday, Bung said Sabah BN was opting out of the state government because it had lost confidence in Hajiji, citing a breach of an agreement between BN and Perikatan Nasional.

Last night, Anwar expressed support for Hajiji to remain as Sabah chief minister for the immediate future, making clear his stand on the matter to reporters in Kota Kinabalu.

Anwar also said he wants the Sabah government to remain strong under Hajiji’s leadership.

“We will give room to the chief minister to hold discussions and find the best formula for the good of Sabah,” he said. – January 10, 2023.