Hajiji, who is also the Sabah chief minister, congratulated Upko president Ewon on his appointment and emphasised the importance of fostering closer ties.

Entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister Ewon replaced Kota Kinabalu PKR chief Christina Liew as the new Sabah PH chairman after securing the most votes at Sabah PH’s election on Sunday.

“We hope the cooperation and unity between parties in Sabah, especially PH and GRS, will remain strong,” said Hajiji in a Bernama report.

“We have worked together before, and this should continue.”

He was speaking to reporters in Kota Kinabalu after launching an economic development plan for the Tuaran district.

PH joined the Sabah government after a failed coup by Umno last year.

Barisan Nasional and GRS have both said they would work with PH in the next Sabah elections, which is expected to be held by October next year at the latest.

Last month, Hajiji said GRS would establish a committee to discuss the next state elections with both components and allies in the state government, particularly PH.

However, GRS’s major component parties – Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and Parti Bersatu Sabah – have repeatedly said that local parties must dominate the administration of the state.