PUTRAJAYA, Nov. 4 -- Barisan Nasional (BN) will field new candidates in 80 per cent of the seats it contests in the Sabah state election, chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He adding that related negotiations were "about 95 per cent" complete, with formal announcements due soon.

"I would say it's almost done," he said, adding that he will be flying to Kota Kinabalu next week to finalise the arrangements.

The move to field fresh faces is part of a broader strategy that will see BN focus on selected constituencies rather than contesting all 73 seats.

BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said yesterday that the coalition's preparations were complete following discussions with the autonomous Sabah BN leadership.

T...