Salleh, the Sabah Umno treasurer, said that the state’s diversity – ethnic, religious, and cultural – required a fair and inclusive political approach where every community feels respected and involved.

“Alongside community inclusion, major political parties must also be part of the power-sharing structure, especially those with broad support across regions. Yet, merit must always guide leadership appointments,” he said in a Facebook post.

Salleh said this approach was consistent with the spirit in which Sabah’s political framework was built, through mutual understanding, partnership, and a fair sharing of power among communities.

“This reflects the essence of political accommodation – a spirit of cooperation between communities and parties to ensure stability, fairness, and unity in governance.

“It (also) reflects constitutional values of balance, inclusion, and regional autonomy,” he said.

Stressing the importance of meritocracy, he said Sabah’s leadership must reflect its plural society while ensuring that those appointed are qualified, capable, and individuals of integrity.

“The three main groups, namely the Muslim Bumiputeras, non-Muslim Bumiputeras, and non-Bumiputeras, should have meaningful representation in government, with real responsibilities, not just symbolic roles,” he added.

Last week, Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Bung Moktar Radin said the coalition would announce an electoral alliance in the near future, having accepted that it cannot win the upcoming state election on its own.

Bung, the Sabah Umno chief, said the state’s current political landscape did not allow any single party to win enough seats to form a government on its own.

In December 2023, Warisan president Shafie Apdal announced his party’s intention to work with Sabah Umno for the state polls. However, BN later said that its central leadership would decide on electoral alliances.

Warisan later decided to contest alone, while Sabah BN and the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition are both seeking an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan.