Warisan president Shafie Apdal said: “We will study it thoroughly, and see if PBS will be part of it (the election plans). If they are there, then they are there,” he said at a press conference today.

He refused to explain why he singled out PBS. However, he said that Warisan needed to strengthen itself.

His comment was the latest in an exchange of feelers between the two parties about electoral ties.

Shafie has repeatedly expressed interest in working with PBS, saying he considered the party’s ideals to be in line with those of Warisan, while PBS president Maximus Ongkili has said the party was ready to work with any party, including Warisan, if it benefitted Sabahans.

The two Sabah-based parties have both had experience in running the state government. PBS, founded in 1985 by Joseph Pairin Kitingan, formed the state government in the 1980s and 1990s and has been in several governing coalitions since. Warisan won power in 2018 but was defeated in the 2020 state elections.

Shafie said Warisan has yet to hold any talks with other parties or coalitions as it was busy preparing for its annual meeting at the end of the month.

On a separate matter, Shafie said the party will amend its constitution to be in line with anti-hopping legislation recently passed by Parliament.

“I think Warisan is the first party to do this and I hope that the bill would also be passed at the state assembly.”

The anti-hopping bill has been unanimously approved by the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara and awaits royal assent before it becomes law.