KOTA KINABALU, May 9 -- Ending months of speculation, Sabah's Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) have agreed to an alliance this upcoming state elections, aimed at ensuring political stability and effective governance extending from the federal government formula.

The announcement by the leaders of both parties was following a meeting between Prime Minister and Pakatan Harapan chairman, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and Barisan Nasional chairman, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday where both leaders agreed to strengthen ties between their coalitions in preparation for the state election.

BN Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin welcomed the decision, saying that today's political reality demanded maturity and sincerit...