Kota kinabalu: Barisan Nasional's (BN) election machinery must work even harder in the 17th Sabah State Election, as the coalition is contesting as an underdog, said BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He also urged the machinery to step up its efforts to withstand the strength of other parties, reminding them not to feel intimidated, as even strong parties, which he described as 'giants', are not invincible forever.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad emphasized the importance of persistence, likening their efforts to termites chipping away at 'giants' until they fall. He shared these insights with reporters after meeting BN's party machinery at the Binsulok district polling centre (PDM) in the Membakut constituency today.

Mohamad highlighted the significance of the upcoming state poll, noting its potential to shape the future of Sabah. He urged Sabahans to use this election as an opportunity to establish a stable government, which is crucial for attracting investment to the resource-rich state. He stressed that investor confidence hinges on a stable government, which no investor would overlook.

As the Foreign Minister, Mohamad appealed to Sabahans to entrust their mandate to a party with a proven track record of governance and alignment with the federal government. He warned against being swayed by unfulfilled promises, emphasizing the need for experienced leadership.

In anticipation of the election, Mohamad announced that BN would launch its manifesto on November 22, with UMNO president and BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi officiating the event.

Discussing BN's prospects in Membakut, Mohamad expressed confidence in recapturing the seat. BN's candidate, Rusman Dulamit, is competing in a 10-cornered race, including the incumbent Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), who previously won the seat with a majority of 3,421 votes in the 16th State Election.