Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Pakatan Harapan is actively working to prevent three-cornered contests in the upcoming Sabah state election.
Anwar, who also chairs both PH and PKR, said discussions are ongoing between PH, Barisan Nasional, and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to reach a consensus and avoid splitting votes.
“We are trying to reach an agreement. If a three-way contest happens, PH may step aside to prevent division,” he said after meeting Sabah PKR leaders in Kota Kinabalu.
Asked about the cooperation being dubbed a “love triangle”, Anwar joked: “Love is a pleasant thing. Sometimes it leaves a small scar, but that’s what love is about.”
He said PH’s seat distribution will be determined by its election committee.
On July 27, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor announced that GRS and PH had agreed to form an electoral alliance. BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said the PH-BN cooperation in Sabah was “locked in” since May.
However, since BN and GRS are not formally allied, they are still expected to clash in the polls set for later this year.
Anwar had expressed hope that all three coalitions could work together. Tensions remain between Sabah UMNO and GRS following the failed attempt by UMNO chief Bung Moktar Radin to oust Hajiji in January 2023.
After the fallout, PH supported Hajiji to stay on as Chief Minister, joining the state government, while UMNO aligned with Warisan in the opposition.
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