BARISAN Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that the question of sovereignty and dignity of the country, including the state of Sabah, is something that cannot be mocked at.

“If any Sabah leader agrees to the suggestion of Philippines’s parliamentarian that Sabah is part of the Philippines, it is not tolerable. Issues on Sabah cannot be negotiated… this is about Sabah and Malaysia. Not negotiable. We have fought to the last drop of blood to defend Sabah.

“Even if the invaders come together, we will fight to defend the land of Sabah as had been the case of Felda Sahabat and Tanduo in Lahad Datu. This is not only a matter of provocation… we do not want to fight because this is our land and this is an independent state. Malaysia is an independent country and the matter has been resolved with the former Sulu Sultanate. This is a matter of dignity and sovereignty of the country, do not play it around, ” he said.

He said this while speaking at a Friendly Ceremony at the Tanjung Aru Voting District Center (PDM) with BN candidate Mohd Reduan Aklee, in Kota Kinabalu, Tuesday night.

Also present were Putatan UMNO chief Jeffery Mohamed and other local leaders.

In his speech, Zahid who is also UMNO President said the candidate for chief minister will be discussed among the State Assemblymen (ADUN) who won the Sabah State Election (PRN) on September 26.

“That is why the BN Supreme Council decided not to talk about who will be the chief minister… we have to win first… has must win at least 37 state seats… we will discuss among the assemblymen … then choose the chief minister… but remember the party with most seat deserves to be the chief minister. We are not ripples and we are not arrogant.

“People should not be mortgaged, the people have dignity and dignity cannot be bought with money… because of that we want the people’s agenda to be given priority. Do not toy around with sensitive issues… BN has PBRS… MCA… we have other friends like Bersatu including other parties in the Perikatan Nasional,” he added.