Lee Kuok Tiung of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) said the two coalitions would emerge even stronger if they continue collaborating with each other as they are currently doing in administrating the state.

He said the two coalitions would be able to break up the opposition’s dominance in several constituencies, and would stand to lose out more if it were to go solo instead.

Lee said Warisan would be able to win parliamentary seats such as Kudat, Putatan, Kimanis and Papar if GRS and BN were to clash at the polls. Currently, Kudat, Putatan and Papar are held by the opposition.

GRS, which comprises Sabah Bersatu, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and United Sabah National Organisation, has eight parliamentary seats.

They are Kota Marudu, Keningau, Beluran, Sipitang, Ranau, Beaufort, Libaran and Kudat.

BN has three – Pensiangan, Kinabatangan and Kimanis.

Ramli Dollah, also of UMS, said any collaboration between GRS and BN would depend on the autonomy given to Sabah Umno in GE15.

Umno and Bersatu are at odds with each other in the peninsula, though they are still partners in the federal government.

Sabah BN deputy chairman Yakub Khan recently confirmed that BN and GRS were discussing a possible collaboration for GE15, specifically on parliamentary seats they intend to contest.