Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today denied talks of an impending snap election in Sabah, dismissing such talk as mere speculation.

"We have not yet made any decision on whether to hold early elections in Sabah or not. So, at the moment, it is all just speculation.

"We will consider all aspects. But for now I must say that it is all speculation," Najib said after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur.

Prior to this, reports have quoted pundits speculating that there will be a snap election in Sabah, a repeat of what happened just before GE13.

Observers claimed that the BN will call for a snap election in the state as early as April this year, if they do not plan to wait for the additional 13 seats in the state assembly that was proposed last year, which is awaiting tabling in the next parliamentary sitting in March.

At the moment Sabah has 60 state seats.

DAP national political education director Liew Chin Tong had earlier urged Pakatan Harapan to get ready for a snap election in Sabah, as he believes that there is an ongoing battle between Chief Minister Musa Aman and Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak (photo).

“It is an open secret that Salleh is aiming to become the next CM and wants to foil Musa's initiative to call for a snap election,” Liew claimed.

Musa's move to call a snap election is part of a ploy to prevent Salleh from returning to Sabah politics, added Liew, the MP for Kluang.

He said Sabah is unlike Sarawak - where Umno is not the party that rules the state while Musa is not like the late Sarawak CM Adenan Satem, whose "reinvented image" was able to refresh BN in the state election.

"On the other hand, Musa is part of the tainted Umno party and he is an incumbent, with his own baggage. This will not do BN any favour," Liew added.

Also speaking to reporters after the supreme council meeting, Salleh, who is Sabah Umno deputy chief, said even though an early Sabah election was mere speculation, Sabah Umno is already prepared to mobilise the whole of its machinery to face any eventuality.

The priority for Sabah Umno now, Bernama quoted him as saying, was to look after the welfare of the people in ensuring that the present government could be defended until the 14th general election is held.

"For the moment, there has been no decision on an early election. Although this is merely a speculation, we are confident that the people will continue to give their support to the ruling government," added Salleh, who is also Umno treasurer.

Asked to comment on the challenge posed by Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) led by former Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal, he said the party was merely a new one and had no grassroots support.

"This is the first time that Warisan will compete with Umno in Sabah, and I am confident the people of Sabah will retain the present government, which has an excellent track record," the communications and multimedia minister added.