THE Sabah state election next year will be a test of the relationship between parties in the unity government, says Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi.

He said Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was correct to say that other parties in the coalition government needed to heed BN’s views if they wanted to remain allies in the 16th general election.

Puad said loyalty was a very important factor to Umno, adding that this was why Umno could not be allies for long with PAS and Bersatu.

“The Sabah election will test whether every party (in the unity coalition) listens to one another. Especially whether BN-Pakatan Harapan (PH) (will work) with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) or Warisan (for the state polls).

“It is common knowledge that Umno is not on very good terms with GRS while PH is not on good terms with Warisan,” he said in a Facebook post.

Both BN and GRS are courting PH as allies for the Sabah polls, which must be held by December next year.

BN currently sits in the opposition in the Sabah assembly with Warisan, while PH is part of the state government led by GRS chairman Hajiji Noor.

Sabah PH had said it would settle internal discussions among its components before starting negotiations with other parties or coalitions on an alliance for the next state election.

The recent alleged mining scandal meanwhile had led to Umno leaders calling for Hajiji to step down as Sabah chief minister, as well as Sabah DAP reviewing its position in the state government.

Sabah PKR however dismissed calls for Hajiji’s resignation, saying the state government should be allowed to function as usual while the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission probes the allegations.