Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has reaffirmed that the coalition’s alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the upcoming Sabah state election is final, following Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) announcement of a similar pact with PH.
Zahid emphasized that the BN–PH partnership had been “locked in” based on an agreement previously reached at the federal level.
“We have already finalized our collaboration with PH, meaning that BN and PH are firmly partnered for the Sabah state election. Meanwhile, PH and GRS have also finalized their cooperation,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today.
The development signals a likely three-way contest, with BN and GRS expected to face off in the polls.
On Sunday, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor announced that the Sabah ruling coalition and PH had agreed to form an alliance for the upcoming state election. He said seat negotiations had already begun and a basic formula had been established, with only a few “minor matters” left to resolve.
Sabah PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud later confirmed that PH’s Sabah components had also consented to the pact.
In May, the head of the unity government’s secretariat, Umno’s Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, and PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that BN and PH would cooperate in the state polls.
Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin later stated that the coalition would not work with GRS in the election, though it might consider collaboration after the results.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, however, has expressed hope that all three coalitions could eventually cooperate for the state polls.
Previously, Sabah Umno and GRS were allies in the state government. However, in January 2023, Bung led a failed attempt to unseat Chief Minister Hajiji Noor by withdrawing support. Hajiji retained his position with PH’s backing, which is now part of the state government, while Umno sits in opposition alongside Warisan.
