Sabah Bersatu strategic and election director Japlin Akim said the negotiations were vital as GRS is now a registered coalition that has BN as its partner in the state coalition government.

He acknowledged that each party would want to contest as many seats as possible, just like Bersatu.

“But when the time comes, leaders from GRS component parties and BN must negotiate on the seats which they think they can win,” he told reporters at an event in Kota Belud today.

Japlin, who is also Kota Belud Bersatu chief, said the GRS-BN pact was aimed at creating a stable political situation in the state and presenting a united front against the opposition.

“However, if clashes were to happen, I am confident our leader (Sabah Bersatu chief Hajiji Noor) will be wise to come up with strategies,” he said.

Besides Sabah Bersatu, GRS comprises Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR).