The Sabah Umno chief said it was tough for the state chapter to work with GRS in the election because it had been betrayed by the ruling state coalition in the past.

“We had a dark and bitter past with GRS. So Sabah Umno needs to be cautious in working with them again. We will evaluate just how sincere they are.

“Umno will only consider working (with GRS) after the state election,” he said, according to Berita Harian.

Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan have already announced an alliance for the Sabah polls, which must be held by the end of the year. This prompted GRS to threaten to go solo.

GRS and PH are currently allies in the Hajiji Noor state government while BN sits in the opposition in the Sabah legislative assembly.

However, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim had expressed confidence that PH, BN and GRS would be able to agree on an alliance for the state election.

Last week, the prime minister said discussions among the three coalitions were ongoing.

BN also said it had given Sabah Umno autonomy to discuss and decide on cooperation with other parties for the state election, despite the unity coalition secretariat previously saying “all decisions will be finalised” by the federal leadership.

Despite the negotiations, several Sabah BN and GRS leaders have traded barbs over the past few weeks, including Bung and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president Jeffrey Kitingan.