Bung, who is also the Kinabatangan MP, told FMT that Umno does not want to be “deceived again” by its partners after successfully forming the state government.

“We have yet to decide which party to cooperate with for the upcoming state election, but I wish to make it clear that Umno will not cooperate with any party that consistently betrays, belittles, and suppresses us,” he said.

He did not name any party.

There has been speculation since last December of a potential tie-up between Sabah Umno and Warisan after Bung attended Warisan’s annual general assembly.

FMT previously reported that an alliance was on the cards among Umno, Pakatan Harapan, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat, and Warisan to face Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the state’s 17th election.

Sabah Umno had withdrawn its support for GRS chairman Hajiji Noor as chief minister in January last year.

“We withdrew because we felt that Umno was being marginalised, and if we remained in that government, Umno would continue to diminish over time,” Bung said.

“When the state election comes, Umno will be ready to face any party in the ring.”

Previously, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reminded party leaders in Sabah to focus on strengthening the state chapter first before discussing cooperation with other parties.