In a statement today, he said Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s loyalty to Putrajaya was not questioned despite its refusal to accept PH as a partner in Sarawak.

PH, via DAP, holds the only two opposition seats – out of 82 – in the Sarawak legislature.

“If PH can contest against GPS in Sarawak, why can’t Warisan go against PH and its ally GRS in Sabah?” asked Azis.

He was responding to PKR communications director Lee Chean Chung’s request for Warisan not to go solo in the Sabah polls in the interest of political stability.

The election must be held before or on Dec 8 this year.

Lee had also asked if Warisan’s Lahad Datu MP Yusof Apdal should resign as deputy minister if the party was serious about contesting solo, and told Warisan to clarify its position regarding the unity government.

Azis said Warisan had always maintained its loyalty to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government, but had chosen to be in the opposition in Sabah.

“The decision for Warisan to go solo is nothing new. (Warisan president) Shafie Apdal made our stance clear even during the unity government meetings chaired by the prime minister,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Sabah.

Azis said it was PKR and DAP that severed ties with Warisan first, not the other way around.

“PKR left us. If you look at the last election, many PH leaders, including from DAP, contested under our logo. But later, they decided to leave us,” he said.

Azis said Warisan had decided to stay in the opposition to provide a check and balance against Sabah’s ruling government.

When asked whether Warisan would contest all 73 state seats, Azis said that decision would be left to Shafie.

“We will place candidates in the areas we have identified. But let’s wait for Shafie to make the announcement,” he said.

Asked about recent statements from PKR hinting at a possible reconciliation with Warisan, Azis said politics was always “evolving”, but the party was firm on contesting solo for now.