Its chief Hajiji Noor said he had met several times with Sabah Umno leader Bung Moktar Radin, who also heads the Barisan Nasional election machinery, to discuss seat allocations in constituencies much sought after by Umno and PPBM.

“We are using all our wisdom to think about what is best for this coming election.

“For us in PPBM, we have a win-win approach … we cannot take more or all the seats but we also think about the interests of friends in PN and Umno.

“I hope our friends in PN and Umno/BN will make the best move to ensure the people are satisfied and, more importantly, for us to win the election,” he told reporters after launching the Tuaran PPBM divisional meeting here today.

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) are also allied to PN.

Hajiji hoped that all discussions, including seat negotiations, can be wrapped up before nomination day on Sept 12.

He had previously said Sabah PPBM was looking to contest in at least 45 seats but Umno responded that it wanted back the seats it won in the previous general election.

These are seats held by Sabah PPBM assemblymen who were former Sabah Umno members.

Seventy-three seats are up for grabs in the election on Sept 26.

Hajiji said discussions were ongoing with regard to the use of PN’s symbol as a common logo for the opposition parties.

Earlier, he said PPBM president and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had given Sabah PPBM the autonomy to decide its candidates and seat allocations for the polls.

“We have the autonomy but of course, we need to refer to him for advice on every important matter,” he said.