Cyberjaya: Cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in forming the new Sabah government is rooted in the shared goal of ensuring political stability for the state's continued development and prosperity, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. He stated that the formation of the state administration, which also includes five Independent assemblymen and several other parties, reflects the political reality that circumstances have changed since the state election.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zahid emphasized that cabinet appointments are fully the prerogative of the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor with the consent of the Sabah Governor, Tun Musa Aman. He noted that GRS alone does not have enough seats to form the government, currently holding 29 seats while BN has six. Although BN and GRS did not contest the election together, the post-election landscape has shifted, leading to the formation of a unity government in Sabah, in line with the Unity Government in Putrajaya, along with five Independent assemblymen originally from GRS and other parties.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also BN chairman, addressed reports of discontent among 12 GRS assemblymen regarding the inclusion of Sabah BN in the new state government following the 17th state polls. He advised against arrogance or rigidity in political decisions, emphasizing the necessity of cooperation for stable governance. He urged political actors to remain pragmatic and prioritize stability for the well-being of the people of Sabah.

In the 17th Sabah state election, GRS secured 29 of the 73 seats, with Parti Warisan obtaining 25, BN six, Independents five, UPKO three, STAR two, and one seat each for Perikatan Nasional, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat, and Pakatan Harapan (PH). Early Sunday morning, Hajiji was sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister. On Monday, 10 assemblymen took their oaths as members of the state Cabinet before Tun Musa at Istana Seri Kinabalu. The new Sabah Cabinet comprises seven GRS assemblymen and one each from UPKO, PH, and BN.