Sabah Umno expects to form coalition ahead of next state polls

Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin says the state’s current political landscape means that only a coalition will be able to gain power at the polls. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Sabah Umno has hinted that it will form a coalition with other parties ahead of the next state election.

Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin said the state’s current political landscape meant only a coalition would be able to gain power at the polls.

The last Sabah election was held in September 2020. The state assembly will be automatically dissolved by October next year, after which a state election will need to be held within 60 days.

“According to the current political situation, including in Sabah, there will never (be) one single party (in power), so we need a coalition,” Bernama quoted Bung as telling reporters in Kota Kinabalu today.

“The people cannot accept a single party. Young voters look at the parties in Sabah and see that Umno, Warisan, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, and Parti Bersatu Sabah have been in power, and they have all been in the opposition as well.

“The people can assess the parties, but we feel the need to form a new coalition to stabilise the politics in Sabah.”

Last month, chief minister Hajiji Noor said Sabah next election will be held next year after the legislature’s term expires.

It was earlier speculated that Sabah Umno and Warisan would work together in the state polls after Warisan president Shafie Apdal announced the possibility at his party’s general assembly in December.

This was played down by Sabah Umno leaders, while the federal Barisan Nasional recently said it would decide on the matter.

Currently, the GRS-led Sabah government comprises representatives from PBS, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, STAR, Pakatan Harapan and a handful of Umno assemblymen.

While Umno and GRS are part of the current administration at the national level, ties have been strained at the state level following a failed coup attempt last year.

In January 2023, Sabah BN and Umno retracted their support for Hajiji following attempts to oust him.