KOTA KINABALU, Jan 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has spoken to Sabah leaders embroiled in a political impasse, but said he will leave it up to them to make the final decision on how to solve the crisis.

Anwar said that he and deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will propose the most viable solutions but it would be ultimately up to them to resolve the conflict.

"The situation is improving. Zahid and I are looking for the best formula for Sabah.

"But the decision will be made by the leaders of Sabah. We can only give advice,” he said when met by reporters here.

Anwar had arrived via a private plane from Jakarta, Indonesia just before 1pm and headed straight for the Sutera Magellan resort where he was believed to have had a closed-door meeting with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and Parti Warisan president Datuk Shafie Apdal.

He is here on his first trip since becoming prime minister to try and iron things out between the political parties that have been at war since last Thursday.

The state government has been in turmoil since Friday night after the majority of Sabah Umno’s assemblymen withdrew their support for Hajiji.

Hajiji recouped support quickly by maintaining five out of 17 of Sabah Umno’s assemblymen, plus Pakatan Harapan’s seven assemblymen. He now claims to have 44 assemblymen backing him, more than half of the 79-seat state assembly.

As of last night, Bung has refused to concede defeat, saying that the game was still on.