An Umno Supreme Council member confirmed today that a meeting held last night discussed the matter, but said the party decided not to commit too early to a choice of allies for the polls.

“Umno does not want to be stabbed in the back again as it previously had been with Perikatan Nasional,” the party leader, who wanted to be anonymous, said, ostensibly referring to the events of the Sheraton Move in 2022.

It was reported that the party leaders met last night primarily to discuss the purported royal addendum allowing former Umno president Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest.

The next state election, which must be held by Dec 6, is viewed as being a test of the relationship among parties in the unity government.

Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said in a Facebook post last month that loyalty was important to Umno, which was why it could not be allies for long with PAS and Bersatu.

“The Sabah election will test whether every party (in the unity coalition) listens to one another, especially whether BN-Pakatan Harapan (will work) with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah or Warisan (for the polls).

“It is common knowledge that Umno is not on very good terms with GRS while PH is not on good terms with Warisan,” he said.