SABAH POLLS | The fragile Perikatan Nasional coalition, heading into the Sabah elections, has publicly shown a united front with promises to negotiate and share seats among its component parties. But behind the scenes, manoeuvrings to gain an upper hand appear to be afoot.

Ahead of nomination day on Sept 12, PN is racing against time to prevent its component parties from cannibalising each other's seats as they face-off against their main rival, the Warisan-led alliance which has fewer parties and a less complex relationship.

But a recent meeting between Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin with five assemblypersons who had defected and supported Musa Aman's comeback as Sabah chief minister has set tongues a-wagging in political circles.

The five assemblypersons - three from Umno and two from Upko - were originally part of BN - but defected to Warisan's alliance after the 2018 general election.

They later defected again - this time to Musa's side - to support a political coup against the Warisan-led government which was eventually thwarted after Sabah (caretaker) chief minister Shafie Apdal secured the dissolution of the state assembly to pave way for fresh polls.

A photograph of the meeting has been widely circulated on social media, sparking speculation that ...