Sabah election: BN to contest under dacing logo

PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates contesting in the upcoming Sabah state election will use the coalition's 'dacing' symbol, which is well known among local voters.

BN secretary-general and coalition chief coordinator for the Sabah polls, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, said a survey found that voters are familiar with the 'dacing' symbol and as such, its strength should not be underestimated.

There had been speculation that BN would use the star-and-crescent moon emblem of Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the polls.

The Federal Territories Minister said BN's political bureau and Supreme Council, which met over the matter, informed component members in PN that its candidates will use the BN symbol in the election.

"Despite contesting on the BN logo, there is no problem if other parties want to use the (emblem) of PN," he said after attending the 2020 Town Hall session with the Federal Territories Ministry staff here, today.

Annuar said in the meeting with PN's component members, it was also agreed that parties would not tussle for seats in the upcoming polls.

"On the question of who will contest and where they will contest, Sabah BN chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has been given the mandate (to decide) and he is also finalising (the candidate list).

"We are 80 per cent ready (and) negotiations between the parties are also going quite well. We already have an understanding that we will not allow a 'free for all' situation among (PN parties)" he said.

Annuar added that BN will also work closely with allies from PN to ensure victory for their candidates, even though they are contesting under a different logo.

"We will work closely with Bersatu (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia). In fact, we will share the (election) machinery, we are one, even though we use different logos," he said.

The Election Commission announced Sept 26 as polling day, Sept 12 as nomination day and Sept 22 for early voting in the 16th Sabah election. A total of 1.12 million registered voters are eligible to cast their votes.