KOTA KINABALU: The ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Barisan Nasional coalitions in the state must refrain from seat clashes in the 15th general election, says Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

       The party's Sabah election and strategy director Datuk Japlin Akim said as coalition and political allies of the state, they must try their best not to overlap on seat allocations when the time comes.

       "Negotiations must be done properly to make sure of this and if inevitably, there are some clashes in the seat allocations, the leaders of respective parties should be wise enough to come to a solution," he said.

       He said the strong cooperation between GRS and Barisan is the key to political stability in Sabah.

       "Of course, every party wishes to contest in as many seats as possible but in reality, when the time comes, we are going to need proper planning to make sure the seats chosen for contest are winnable to the party and candidates," he said.

       Japlin, whose party Bersatu was part of GRS, reminded party members and leaders that the main reason for GRS and its allies working together is to defeat the Opposition and create political stability.

       "The name GRS-Barisan in Sabah is also agreed upon to ensure that there will not be clashes in contesting seats in the coming GE15," he added.