He also confirmed that there will be no clash between the two coalitions, Berita Harian reported.

However, Zahid, who is the Umno president, said no seat talks have been held with ruling state coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.

“We have finalised (the distribution of seats) between BN and PH, and we respect the (cooperation between) PH and GRS. No direct negotiations have been held between BN and GRS. So that’s that,” he was quoted as saying.

Zahid said multi-cornered contests were unavoidable in many seats as there were too many parties planning to take part in the election.

“So, the more the merrier. That’s Sabah’s political landscape. What’s guaranteed is that BN-PH will not clash. We have finalised that,” he said.

PH has reached separate pacts with GRS and BN, although the two coalitions have refused to work together despite Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s urging.

Sabah BN previously said any form of cooperation with GRS would only be considered after the outcome of the state polls, which must be held by January 2026 at the latest.

PH is an ally of GRS’s in the state government while BN sits with Warisan in the opposition.