Addressing PBS’s annual convention in Kota Kinabalu today, acting party president Joachim Gunsalam said preparing well for the next state polls was crucial to ensure Sabah was kept on the right track.

Joachim, who is also a deputy chief minister, said PBS was set on defending the seven seats it won in 2020 and to add more in future, particularly those it deems its “traditional” areas or seats.

“GRS has to strengthen its position as the champion of the people of Sabah by contesting for as many seats as possible and preventing the dominance of outside parties, who may not understand the true aspirations of Sabahans,” he said.

He is believed to be referring to political parties based outside Sabah, including Pakatan Harapan, who are currently allies with GRS in the Sabah government.

Last month, Hajiji, the GRS chairman, expressed confidence that the coalition and PH will continue to govern Sabah after the next state election, which is expected to be held next year.

Barisan Nasional has, however, stated that it has finalised its cooperation with PH in the next state polls. Sabah Umno deputy chief Abdul Rahman Dahlan later said an alliance between PH, BN and GRS was the most promising for the state election.

Sabah Umno had withdrawn its support for Hajiji in January 2023 but failed to unseat the chief minister, who then roped in PH into the state government. A handful of Sabah Umno assemblymen had also refused to retract their support for Hajiji.

Joachim also called for seat talks within GRS to commence, saying early negotiations were crucial to curb seat clashes and splitting votes, which would benefit their rivals.

According to NST, Hajiji later said GRS will meet next month to discuss seat allocation for the state election.