KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) secured their election victory through effective electoral strategy, disciplined party machinery and a clear understanding of voter sentiment, rather than relying solely on popularity, UMNO Sabah Treasurer Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Salleh Said Keruak said today.
In a Facebook posting following the election results, Salleh congratulated the leadership of both BN and PN on their success, describing the outcome as a reflection of careful planning and effective execution on the ground.
He said one of the key factors behind the victory was effective seat coordination between the parties, which helped maximise their electoral strength while avoiding unnecessary multi-cornered contests that could have split votes.
“Effective seat coordination enabled both parties to consolidate support in many constituencies and significantly improved their chances of winning,” he said.
Salleh also pointed to the ability of both parties to consolidate and deliver block votes as another important advantage, particularly in closely contested seats.
According to him, the prevailing political mood and the issues that resonated most with voters were more influential in determining the election outcome than several policy matters that had attracted attention during the campaign.
He noted that issues such as Tabung Haji, development and state-federal coordination did not appear to be decisive factors in shaping voting patterns in this election.
Instead, he said, broader public sentiment played a more significant role in influencing voter behaviour.
Salleh also credited the strong organisational capabilities of both BN and PAS, saying their disciplined and effective grassroots machinery successfully mobilised party workers and supporters throughout the campaign period.
“The election demonstrates that victory requires more than popularity. It demands sound strategy, strong organisation, disciplined execution and the ability to understand and respond to the prevailing political environment and voter sentiment,” he said.
Salleh said the election offered valuable lessons for all political parties, emphasising that long-term success would depend on organisational strength, strategic cooperation and remaining attuned to the aspirations and concerns of the electorate.-pr/BNN
