“Anything is possible between now and the next Sabah elections, which could be held either next year or in 2025,” he told reporters at the Bersatu general assembly today.

“Whichever it is, I can assure you that Perikatan Nasional (PN), specifically Bersatu, will be contesting in Sabah.”

Last week, Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor said it was possible to have elections as soon as next year, despite the state government’s current mandate only due to end in 2025.

“The current state government’s term will end in October 2025, but (elections) can be brought forward. Therefore, we need to be prepared to face them,” he said.

In December last year, GRS dropped Bersatu as a coalition member.

GRS deputy chairman Maximus Ongkili said this was decided at the coalition’s Supreme Council meeting on Dec 9.

On Dec 10, Hajiji, who is also GRS chairman, announced that Sabah Bersatu leaders and their supporters were leaving the Muhyiddin Yassin-led party.

He said the “unanimous decision” by Sabah Bersatu leaders to quit the party was based on the premise that the status quo was “no longer tenable”.