Deputy Chief Minister Yahya Hussin today accepted the advice of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak not to raise the issue on seat allocations among component parties of the BN in the run up to the next general election.

"We support the statement by the Prime Minister. Of course, the allocation of seats is an issue that is often talked about, what more when the general election is approaching.

"Sometimes we can't stop people from talking about seat allocations...that is normal.

"The Prime Minister appeals to us not to talk on the issue, and we agree and place the responsibility concerning the seat allocation to the BN top leadership," he told reporters after feting the officials and participants of the national-level Quran Reciters Assembly, in Kota Kinabalu today.

Yahya said this when asked to comment on the statement by Najib, who is also the Umno president, at Penampang, near here yesterday which, among other things, emphasised that it was not the time yet to decide whether the status quo would be retained in the allocation of the Sabah BN seats for the next general election.

Unite to ensure BN victory

Last Sunday, Yahya had suggested that the Putatan Parliamentary seat be handed over to Umno to contest in the next general election. It is now being held by Datuk Marcus Majigoh from the Pertubuhan Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Bersatu (UPKO).

Yahya, who is also the state Umno liaison secretary and Putatan Umno division head, said the move was appropriate because Umno was the pillar of strength for the BN in the parliamentary constituency.

Asked whether an explanation should be given to the grassroots supporters on the matter, Yahya said they should realise that solidarity among members of the BN component parties was crucial to ensure that the BN remained strong and relevant.

"If we don't cooperate, it will certainly be difficult for us to achieve
good results (in the next general election). That's why we must unite regardless of race and religion, and work as a team to ensure success for the Sabah BN," he said.

Yahya said the focus of the BN government now was to develop Sabah to achieve greater progress in all aspects and to champion the cause of the people especially the rural dwellers.

- Bernama