KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 — Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), the coalition representing several of Sabah's main political parties, has agreed to join the federal unity government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The prime minister made the announcement in Putrajaya during a brief press conference held this morning.

The support means Anwar now has the backing of two-thirds majority in Parliament.

"Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, the chief minister of Sabah, has informed (me) that GRS will officially join (my) unity government. This means our strength including the support by Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and now with GRS, has reached two-thirds of members of parliament,” he said.

The strong show of support could circumvent any bid to challenge Pakatan Harapan's leadership and ensure "political stability,” Anwar suggested.

His appointment would at least temporarily put to rest the tension between the major political coalitions vying to lead, none of which gained enough seats to form a federal government on its own.