While Umno has decided to fight Bersatu in the next general election, some negotiations may take place between the two in Sabah.

"God willing, (Sabah) Umno will negotiate within Gabung Rakyat Sabah (GRS)," state party chief Bung Moktar Radin (above) told Malaysiakini.

He said this when asked to clarify whether Sabah Umno would negotiate seats with Bersatu for the next general election.

Umno is currently a major partner with Bersatu in the GRS state government, with Bung being a deputy chief minister.

Earlier in his speech at the Umno general assembly, Bung appealed to delegates to understand Sabah Umno's position, and that they had to respect the people's mandate for GRS to be in power.

However, he stressed that Sabah Umno still supported party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the supreme council.

The supreme council had decided to end ties with Bersatu.

"Sabah Umno holds to the principles that the party's struggles must be prioritised.

"And in our struggle, I remember the deputy president's (Mohamad Hasan) words 'in politics, if you don't gain, don't lose'.

"This is the approach we will take for GE15 in Sabah... as a leader, I will be responsible to help our parliamentary candidates in Sabah as best I can to ensure victory," Bung said.

Met by reporters later, he added that said the central party's decision today may not have a big impact on Sabah.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

At a separate press conference, Zahid told reporters that the situation in Sabah was unique.

"The political landscape there is special because they (Sabah Umno) are part of GRS, so what was stated by Bung is Sabah Umno's stance, and we will respect it," he said.

Sabah Umno has autonomy from the central party leadership - including on deciding candidates for elections.

Additional reporting by Low Choon Chyuan and Ramieza Wahid.

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