Sabah Umno information chief Suhaimi Nasir acknowledged that Bung’s announcement, which Sabah DAP denied, had drawn mockery online while some party members also denied that an official decision had been made.

Suhaimi nonetheless defended his boss, saying Bung’s announcement was an organised strategic move aimed at “forming public sentiment, testing the political reactions and regaining the narrative in the media” ahead of the polls.

“The statement was not made randomly. It was a thoroughly calculated message. In the realm of political science, it’s known as agenda setting, which means diverting attention from the party’s internal issues to the possibility of a future political cooperation that brings hope and stability.

“The question of whether the cooperation will materialise or not is a secondary matter. What’s important now is that Sabah Umno is back on the national political radar.

“Politics is not about waiting for a green light. True leaders dare to forge new paths. And today, Sabah Umno is forging such a path under Bung’s leadership,” he said in a statement.

On Sunday, Bung announced that Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) would work with PH in the state election, which must be held by the end of the year. He claimed the collaboration was finalised last year.

The following day, Sabah DAP said it was not involved in any official talks with BN on the cooperation with PH.

Both BN and chief minister Hajiji Noor’s Gabungan Rakyat Sabah are courting PH for an alliance for the state polls.

While PH has said it will decide on the matter closer to the elections, its representatives continue to be a part of Hajiji’s state Cabinet.