PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) has dismissed the call from ally Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) not to contest in the state election scheduled next year.

Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) leader Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee should reconsider its position in PN in making such call.

He said PN will contest in the state election.

“We will participate in the Sabah election as per the decision of the PN supreme council. I’m not sure what Yong is implying outside of this council.

“We are based in Sabah and will indeed contest,” Kiandee said as quoted by The Star.

Yong has been absent at Perikatan supreme council meetings since 2023 and his party’s political position conflict at the state and national level.

SAPP is a component of Sabah’s Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance but a component of the opposition PN coalition at the national level.

Both are rival groups in the state as GRS is aligned to the Madani administration at the Federal government.

SAPP will contest under GRS in the state election.

“Sabahans now anticipate that national coalitions will grant more autonomy to Sabah parties and that peninsular parties will refrain from participating in Sabah elections, particularly state elections,” Yong said.