However at the state level, there are discrepancies whereby Warisan and Barisan Nasional are not a part of the coalition.

As Malaysia follows the Westminster system of government, the head of government (Prime Minister at the federal level and the Menteri Besar/Chief Ministers/Premier at the state level) is the person who commands the confidence of the majority of members in the respective legislature – this is normally the leader of the party or coalition with the majority of seats in the legislature.

In practice, coalitions and alliances in Malaysia, and by extension, in Sabah, generally persist between elections, and member parties do not normally contest for the same seats.

[9] Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional (PN) have announced its intention to contest all 73 state seats in its first foray into the state, the move which led to Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) exit from PN, as announced by party leader Yong Teck Lee in December 2024, as SAPP insists that only party which has origins in Sabah are allowed to contest the election.

[10] SAPP will contest the election under GRS, the local coalition which it is a component in parallel with PN since 2020.

On 16 January 2025, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), through its President Wee Ka Siong, confirmed that the party would contest in the election.