KOTA KINABALU, Oct. 18 -- Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition's leadership will scrutinise the Sabah chapter's proposal to contest 48 seats in the upcoming state election.

The deputy prime minister said the 48-seat target, which was announced by Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin earlier this week, was the state coalition's internal projection and not a final decision.

"I have heard clearly the request from Umno and BN Sabah to contest 48 seats - that's their proposal," he told reporters here today when reaffirming the state chapter's autonomy.

"But we must be realistic. We will only field candidates in winnable seats."

Zahid explained that the party's vetting process is ongoing,...