Hajiji, who is chief minister, said that while he holds the prerogative to advise the governor, Musa Aman, to dissolve the assembly, he prefers that the decision be made collectively, in line with a GRS commitment to joint decision-making.

“We are in GRS, and any decision must go through the Supreme Council,” Bernama quoted him as saying. “I will discuss and inform the party presidents when the time comes to dissolve the assembly,” he told reporters in Penampang, Sabah, after closing a joint convention of Parti Bersatu Sabah and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku.

However, he did not indicate when the discussion with the Supreme Council would be held. When asked whether he would allow the assembly to dissolve automatically this November, Hajiji said the matter would be considered carefully.

The current state assembly’s term expires on Nov 11, if not dissolved earlier. Election must be held within 60 days of dissolution.

Commenting on speculation that GRS may contest the election independently, Hajiji said the matter would also be discussed at the Supreme Council level.

The party has been in discussions with Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional about electoral cooperation, after stating that it could contest the election on its own should PH and BN form an alliance. Earlier today, the opposition Perikatan Nasional ruled out electoral alliance with GRS.

GRS comprises Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, PBS, STAR, Parti Maju Sabah, United Sabah National Organisation , Liberal Democratic Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah and Parti Cinta Sabah.

Hajiji described today’s PBS-STAR convention as a historic milestone that strengthened local political cooperation. It reflected political maturity, prioritising the interests of the people and the state over political differences, he said.