What risk does BN face if grassroots leaders are sidelined in seat allocation?

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BN Risks Losing Grassroots Support if Leaders are Sidelined in Seat Allocation

Barisan Nasional (BN) faces the significant risk of losing active grassroots leaders who may depart the party if they are not allocated a role in contesting state seats during the upcoming Sabah state election. This concern was voiced by BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who stressed the importance of ensuring these leaders have a stake in the electoral process to maintain their engagement and loyalty. The proposed strategy to address this involves BN contesting at least one state seat within each parliamentary constituency.
Proposal for Seat Allocation to Retain Grassroots Leaders

Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has put forward a proposal that BN should contest a minimum of one state seat in every parliamentary constituency in Sabah. This suggestion stems from the observation that grassroots leaders may feel disenfranchised and consequently leave the party if they perceive a lack of opportunity or involvement during election periods. The aim is to provide a clear role for these dedicated party members, thereby mitigating potential attrition.
Discussion and Consultation on the Proposed Strategy

The proposal to ensure BN contests at least one state seat per parliamentary constituency is slated for discussion among the various BN component parties. Furthermore, the Umno consultative council will also deliberate on this idea. This consultative process is crucial to reach a consensus and a unified approach for seat allocation in the Sabah state election, considering the coalition's broader electoral strategy.
Context of Sabah's Electoral Landscape

Sabah comprises 25 parliamentary constituencies and a total of 73 state seats. BN, alongside Pakatan Harapan, is anticipated to form a cooperative alliance for the upcoming state election, which is mandated to be called this year. This arrangement is in addition to their current cordial relationship with the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, initially formed to counter Parti Warisan's electoral prospects.
Potential for Grassroots Disappointment and Departure

The core risk highlighted by Mohamad Hasan is the potential departure of grassroots leaders who feel their contributions are overlooked or undervalued due to seat allocation decisions. He explicitly warned that such leaders might leave the party if they are sidelined, as they would perceive themselves as having "no role to play when an election is held." This underscores the critical need for inclusive participation to sustain party strength at the local level.

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What risk does BN face if grassroots leaders are sidelined in seat allocation?

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