BN has indicated that the coalition will only decide on its allies for the 17th Sabah state election after the dissolution of the state assembly.
Its chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said BN is ready to work with anybody and any party.
“The decision will be made after the state legislative assembly is dissolved,” he told reporters at a press conference after a Christmas open house event in Kota Belud, Sabah.
The deputy prime minister also refuted claims that he had flown to Sabah amid a political storm in the region, clarifying that he was fulfilling an open house invite from United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Ewon Benedick.
Yesterday, Harian Metro quoted Zahid as saying that he was flying to Sabah to resolve political tension brewing in the state.
It was reported that he would issue an official statement today on the situation involving Umno, Warisan, Pakatan Harapan and GRS, ahead of the Sabah polls.
Sabah is due for a state election next year, although there is speculation that Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor might call for it this year.
Stronger cooperation
Zahid said that BN will be dominant with the support of other parties.
“We appreciate the effort taken by (Sabah Umno head) Bung Moktar Radin in unifying the grassroots until the state level.
“And I reckon with the leadership of Bung and the assistance of (Sabah Umno deputy chairperson) Abdul Rahman Dahlan, as well as other leaders that are not in BN, we will meet there again.
“God willing, we will be dominant if other parties are also supporting us,” he added.
Sabah Umno previously indicated readiness to cooperate with Warisan under party president Shafie Apdal.
The cooperation will see Sabah Umno and Warisan going up against the Hajiji-led Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), as well as Harapan components.
Previously, Shafie said cooperation between Warisan and Umno was possible in the interest of all Sabahans.
Similarly, Bung, a former Sabah deputy chief minister, reportedly admitted to Umno having no reservations to cooperate with Warisan.
All of the parties are a part of the federal government after the 15th general election.
Neither GRS nor Warisan have enough MPs to threaten the federal government's hold on power.
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