Sabah PAS commissioner Aliakbar Gulasan said several policies introduced by chief minister Hajiji Noor, such as Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya and various educational schemes, have effectively addressed the needs of the people.

He said assistance with flight tickets for Sabah students studying at higher learning institutes in Peninsular Malaysia to return home has greatly benefitted those in need.

“PAS is comfortable working with GRS. We are not opposed to working together for the state polls if the PN leadership decides so,” he told FMT.

“PAS has been supporting welfare and community programmes (under the Sabah government) regardless of party and race.”

Aliakbar was commenting on the ongoing discussions within Sabah PAS regarding potential cooperation ahead of the state polls, which must be held no later than December next year.

He is one of six assemblymen appointed by the GRS-led state government after it won the 2020 state elections. It was the first time that PAS had obtained representation in the state assembly.

The state assembly will be automatically dissolved by October next year, after which an election must be held within 60 days.

Yesterday, FMT reported that Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan are expected to collaborate in the Sabah state elections, continuing the federal-level alliance established in 2022.

Citing sources, the tie-up would not involve GRS but might include Warisan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat.

All of these parties are currently part of the Anwar Ibrahim-led unity government.

The sources said while most leaders support the PH-BN collaboration, some like Sabah PH chief Christina Liew are against it.