Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is confident that a unity government can be formed in Sabah.
However, he said its acceptance was something that must first be respected by all parties.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and himself both agreed, he added, that there should be a cooling-off period.
The Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president said continuous politicking would only hinder efforts to improve the people’s well-being.
“I am sure the people of Sabah do not want another state election, it is not only tiring but at the same time burdensome.
“Democracy is not just about elections, but through agreement from political parties who want to ensure the well-being of the people in the two-and-a-half years left before the Sabah polls need to be held again.
“So, I hope that the welfare of the people is made a priority,” he said after a ‘Sesi Sembang Santai Bersama Media Kementerian Kemajuan Desa dan Wilayah’ at Kuala Lumpur Tower.
On Monday, both Anwar and Zahid had met with various Sabah leaders, including Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Sabah Umno and BN chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin to try to find a solution to the crisis which had developed there.
Anwar gave his blessings to Hajiji to continue to lead the state and proposed a unity government be formed.
The crisis was triggered when Bung Moktar had announced that Sabah Umno and BN would be pulling its support for Hajiji after losing confidence in his leadership.
Not all Umno assemblymen, however, were in favour of the move. Five declared their continued support for Hajiji, giving him the necessary numbers to remain in control of the state assembly.
Zahid said Anwar and he had made several suggestions as to how to solve the leadership crisis in Sabah during their meetings in Kota Kinabalu.
He said the unity government suggested by the prime minister would involve all the parties involved in the unity government at federal level.
He added that he would be meeting with Bung Moktar soon to discuss Sabah political issues. – NST