[1] The branch had effectively split from the central leadership of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party under the leadership of Hajiji Noor in March 2022 and participated in the 2022 general election in alliance with Barisan Nasional, contrary to the mother party which contested in the opposing Perikatan Nasional coalition.

The Malaysian United Indigenous Party of Sabah had participated in the 2022 general election as part of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition in alliance with Barisan Nasional, with both groups supporting the formation of the unity government under Anwar Ibrahim in its aftermath.

Conversely, the mother party under the leadership of president Muhyiddin Yassin, who also led the Perikatan Nasional coalition, opted to sit in opposition.

This disagreement between the mother party and its Sabahan chapter was reported to be the reason for branch chairman Hajiji Noor's split from the party, bringing with him all 15 state assemblymen and four members of parliament,[2][3] with the remainder of the party being expelled from the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition a few days later.

[4][5] The branch's sole remaining member of parliament, Ronald Kiandee, succeeded Hajiji as chairman.