UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) want the current unity government in the state of Sabah to remain until the next state election, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid who is also the Umno president and BN chairman said it was important to have a close rapport within the unity government at the Federal and state level.

Therefore, a harmonious situation must prevail among the political parties in Sabah and the existing peace be maintained.

“That is our hope (Umno and BN), and that is what we agreed with them, and that must be preserved. There are several approaches that are being looked at to find the best solution so that the existing government can be retained until the next state elections,” he told reporters, today.

Earlier, Zahid attended the ‘Santunan Kasih Ramadan’ programme organised by the Sabah Rural and Regional Development Ministry at Kampung Benoni Mosque, in Papar today.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs and Special Duties) Armizan Mohd Ali, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Rubiah Wang and Sabah Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.

Zahid said the unity government secretariat headed by Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and at the Sabah state level headed by Yakub Khan will play an important role to ensure the success of the prevailing partnership.

“We (unity government secretariat) will carry out several coordinated measures to ensure the stability of the state government,” he said.

Zahid added that political stability was important to ensure the agenda of helping the people can become the main focus in the development of rural areas with much needed infrastructure development. – Bernama, April 8, 2023.