KOTA KINABALU, Oct 18 — Barisan Nasional (BN) is prepared to form a unity government in Sabah if no party wins a clear majority in the upcoming state election, said its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno president also said he believed that there was realistically no coalition or party in the state that could win the election outright.

“So, God willing, BN is ready to form the government with other parties on a power-sharing basis,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, pledged to fulfil everything listed in the coalition’s manifesto if re-elected.

He was speaking during the MARA Women’s Empowerment Programme here today.

In his speech, Ahmad Zahid reiterated that the concept of “Sabah for Sabahans” should not be turned into political rhetoric ahead of the election, stressing that Sabahans must see themselves as part of a united Malaysia.

“Who says ‘Sabah for Sabahans’? No. This is Malaysia. There is no such thing as Sabahans, or Selangorians, or people of Perak or the Peninsula.

“We are Malaysians — regardless of which state we come from,” he said, noting that such regional sentiments often emerge near election time.

Ahmad Zahid said Umno and BN’s struggle in Sabah has always been to assist and develop the state, which they had done since coming into power in 1994 until 2018.

“When elections approach, some begin saying ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ or call us a Peninsular party. That’s why I want to make it clear — it was the Sabahans who invited Umno to come to Sabah to help the people here,” he said.

He added that Sabah BN and Sabah Umno were given autonomy to make their own decisions, and with a renewed mandate, the party is confident it can deliver even more for the people.

“It was Umno and BN that brought development to Sabah. Now, as elections approach, new slogans are emerging. But I ask that the people give BN a chance this time. We know how we can do things better than before,” he said.