“On that score, I like the idea of a separate election for Sabah. But we will leave it to the prime minister and chief minister to decide what’s best for Barisan in the state,” Rahman, the Kota Belud MP, was quoted as saying in The Star.

Rahman, who is a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and also the BN strategic communications director, said the coalition’s parties in Sabah were “psychologically and physically” ready for an election.

“This is not something new to us. We have done it alone before. Whatever decision the top leadership makes doesn’t impact us much. It is just a matter of when,” he said.

The Star reported that plans were being made for Sabah to go it alone in a snap state election that may be held as early as April.

The report stated that Prime Minister Najib Razak had given the nod to the proposal but wanted a detailed evaluation of all the seats before making a final decision.