TAWAU, Nov 14 — Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) can learn from history to avoid repeating the mistakes made by political parties which resulted in the state going backwards and the people losing out all because of infighting.

As such, Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said leaders of Sabah need to emulate the Sarawak leadership who are united and together and would not give the opportunity to irresponsible parties to instigate or pit against one another.

“If we look at the political landscape, it is almost impossible for us to work together because in the peninsula, BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) cannot sit together to discuss as the door has closed, but in Sabah I am able to talk things out with the Sabah Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor who is also GRS chairman).

“We are the poorest state in Malaysia. If we continue to fight among ourselves, there will be winners and losers, but in the end the state will make little progress, the people will get poorer and will continue to suffer.”

He said this at a ceramah at Kampung Pasir Putih here last night, which was also attended by BN candidate for the Kalabakan paliamentary seat, Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy.

GRS comprises Bersatu, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) and Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Sabah Bersatu (USNO) which is in a coalition with BN to govern the state. PN meanwhile is made up of Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, SAPP and STAR.

Later, at a press conference Bung Moktar when asked about the series of campaign carried out so far, said that the people seemed positive and are attracted to the pledges made by BN and GRS in offering prosperity and stability for the state.

“I see that nowadays things are different from GE14, as the voters no longer care for empty promises but are instead demanding for stability and prosperity to be restored.

“Through the campaigns and monitoring by my task force, we see that we have a chance in Lahad Datu because when my ceramah was held at Kunak over 3,000 people were present and we also received the support of the former leaders there,” he added. — Bernama