Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, said BN is currently exploring cooperation with Pakatan Harapan as well as electoral understandings with local parties in Sabah in preparation for the state polls, expected this year.

“We are exploring cooperation with PH in Sabah because BN cannot go it alone there, so we need partners to face the state elections. We are still considering various aspects, especially seat distribution.

“We don’t want confusion. We want to be a strong team, so that voters are not confused and will give their support to strong parties that can govern Sabah,” he said after opening the Ledang Umno division’s delegates meeting.

Wanita Umno leader Noraini Ahmad said a detailed sentiment study is being conducted to understand voter trends and grassroots feedback, which will be channelled directly to central, division and ‘war room’ leaders.

She said the sentiment analysis is being conducted continuously across the country to strengthen the party, and not just for elections.

“For the Sabah state elections, the sentiment study has been completed and we leave it to the leadership to disclose the findings,” she said in Penang, after opening the Kepala Batas Wanita Umno, Youth and Puteri division delegates’ meeting.

Noraini said Wanita Umno is moving in step with Sabah Umno to ensure the election machinery is always at peak readiness.

The five-year term of the Sabah state assembly expires on Nov 11, unless dissolved sooner. Elections must be held within 60 days of dissolution.