Zahid Calls for Unified BN-GRS Effort to Promote Sabah’s Progress

Kinabatangan, Sabah: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on political parties in Sabah to set aside prolonged disputes and focus on the state’s development for the benefit of its people.

“Enough of politics. What matters today is stability for the sake of development and the welfare of the people of Sabah,” Ahmad Zahid said during a Sentuhan Kasih Desa@Kuamut program in Tongod on Thursday (Jan 22). He emphasized that political parties serve as both tools and bridges connecting citizens to the state and federal governments and must be strengthened to serve the rakyat.

Ahmad Zahid highlighted the importance of cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the state, saying such collaboration is crucial for ensuring political stability, which in turn would drive comprehensive development in Sabah.

Barisan, which contested against GRS in November’s state election, is now part of the state coalition government. As both Barisan chairman and UMNO president, Ahmad Zahid stressed that continuous conflict hampers sustainable development. “Prolonged quarrels bring no benefit, and, God willing, this will not happen again in Sabah,” he said.

Also present at the program were GRS Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah and Barisan’s Kinabatangan candidate Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar. Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that Naim Kurniawan could carry on the legacy of his late father, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, in the parliamentary constituency if voters grant him the mandate.

By-elections for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and the Lamag state seat are scheduled for Saturday (Jan 24), following the passing of Bung Moktar on Dec. 5, who held both seats.