Shamsul Iskandar Akin said it was crucial for Ewon, as Sabah PH chief, to lead the way in putting up a united front for the coalition ahead of the upcoming state election.

He urged Ewon to discuss his proposal with fellow PH components before making a final decision on the matter.

“Ewon, as the chairman of Sabah PH, will come to his senses,” Shamsul told FMT in an exclusive interview.

“It may also be good for him to discuss (the proposal) with all the other partners in Sabah PH, because we know that in any election, unity is paramount.

“If Upko decides that they don’t want to use the PH logo, then we need to manage that because it gives a sense that DAP or PKR will also use their own logo,” Shamsul said.

Ewon had proposed that Upko contest under its own logo in the state polls to give “emphasis” to the “Sabah spirit”.

However, he said the matter had yet to be discussed with the PH presidential council, which will make the final decision.

Upko left Barisan Nasional in May 2018, after the 14th general election, to form the Sabah government with Warisan and PH.

In the last state election in September 2020, Upko was a part of an alliance with Warisan and PH but ran under its own banner. PKR had also contested under its own logo, while DAP and Amanah used Warisan’s.

After joining PH in 2021, Upko contested under the coalition’s banner in Sabah in the 15th general election the following year.

Shamsul said there was still time and room for negotiation, and for the central PH leadership to gain a clearer understanding of the dynamics behind Upko’s proposal.

“We still have a few more weeks until nomination day,” he said.

He nonetheless maintained that cooperation and unity in Sabah PH remained strong.

“I was made to understand that we are among the first to reach a consensus on the (distribution of) seats (among other coalitions),” he added.

The Sabah election will be held on Nov 29, with nomination day set for Nov 15, and early voting on Nov 25.