Hajiji, who is also the Sabah Bersatu chief, said it was merely Muhyiddin’s opinion.

But the political situation in Sabah, the chief minister said, was a “bit different”.

“It is unique. So, we deal with it the Sabah way,” he told reporters here.

Last night, Muhyididn, who is also the PN chairman, defended former Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee’s bid for re-election on a PN ticket.

Kiandee is Bersatu’s vice-president and the seat belongs to the party, Muhyiddin said. Bersatu is the lynchpin of PN.

Muhyiddin said GRS should not have sacrificed Bersatu seats when it negotiated with BN. Sabah BN has fielded former Sandakan district council president Benedict Asmat as its candidate in Beluran.

Sabah BN chairman Bung Moktar Radin previously defended fielding Benedict, saying it was in keeping with a “unique” tradition of fielding a non-Muslim in the constituency.

Meanwhile, Hajiji said he had no qualms over Kiandee’s decision to contest in Beluran because he was using the PN symbol.

“We cannot stop anyone from contesting. However, if it is true that the independent candidate in Tenom is a Sabah Bersatu member, then we will take the necessary action. We won’t allow it,” he said, referring to Riduan Rubin, the Bersatu Tenom youth chief.

On whether he considered Riduan’s actions disrespectful, Hajiji said it was up to the people to judge.

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