30/11/2025

NATIONAL 2 theSun on Sunday NOV 30, 2025

Caretaker CM Hajiji likely to form Sabah govt

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was leading the race to form Sabah’s next government, based on unofficial results as of 9.40pm yesterday. The Hajiji-led Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) was stated to have secured 26 seats, placing the coalition ahead of its rivals and strengthening Hajiji’s position to return as chief minister. Hajiji, who is also president of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, successfully defended his Sulaman seat in a five-cornered contest, defeating Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Dr Shahnon Rizal, Parti Warisan’s (Warisan)

jump parties.” He said turnout figures could reflect Sabahans’ confidence or lack thereof in the political system. “The difference in the number of voters in 2020 and 2025 makes a direct comparison difficult. “However, low participation among some groups could indicate a degree of disillusionment with democracy in Sabah.” He said the participation of young and first-time voters was another critical factor. “The involvement of young voters is very important for the future of Sabah politics. “However, automatic registration for 18-year-olds does not necessarily translate to enthusiasm or interest as they are not required to take the effort to register themselves.” Mazlan also highlighted logistical challenges affecting turnout. “Around 200,000 Sabahans work outside the state, mainly in the peninsula, and cannot return to vote. “This significantly impacts overall participation. The EC needs to consider in future ways to enable these voters to exercise their rights without having to travel to their hometowns.” – By Harith Kamal However, GRS component parties reaffirmed their backing for Hajiji, asserting that under the Sabah Constitution, a chief minister’s legitimacy rests on the support of a majority of assembly members regardless of party label. The state government subsequently continued under GRS. The 17th state election saw one of Sabah’s fiercest contests, with 596 candidates vying for 73 seats. Independent candidates (74) topped the field, followed by Warisan (73), PIS (72), GRS (55), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (46), BN (45), PN (42), Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (40), United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (25) and PH (22), according to Bernama. The election also produced some of the most crowded contests in Sabah’s history. Tulid recorded a 14-cornered fight while Bandau, Tamparuli and Inanam each saw 13 cornered contests. Banggi featured 12 candidates, underscoring the deepening fragmentation and intense competition across the state.

GRS stated to have secured 26 seats, placing coalition ahead of rivals after former chief minister wins Sulaman seat

two

parliamentary

Harapan (PH) took two while four independents also clinched victories. GRS needs 37 seats to secure a simple majority to form the next state government. However, Sabah DAP suffered a complete wipeout, failing to retain any of the seats it previously held across the eight constituencies it contested. Party secretary

Mokhtar Hussin, Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Tiaminah @ Siti Aminah Ele and Parti Impian Sabah’s (PIS) Pajudin Nordin. Warisan, led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, secured 13 seats, BN won nine, Pakatan

PETALING JAYA: Sabahans went to the polls in force yesterday, with 60.94% of voters casting their ballots by 4pm, meeting the Election Commission’s (EC) target. Yet, experts caution that the headline figure may mask deeper voter disillusionment and the persistent uncertainty of the state’s volatile politics. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said the figure, while respectable, does not tell the full story of voter engagement. “Although voter turnout until noon appeared lower than in 2020, it does not necessarily indicate a decrease in engagement. “The 2020 election involved only registered voters aged 21 and above, whereas in 2025 automatic registration of 18-year olds added a significant number of new voters.” Mazlan pointed out Sabah’s history of frequent party switching and coalition reshuffles as a factor shaping voter sentiment. “Political instability and the often conflicting attitudes of politicians may contribute to boredom and apathy towards political matters. Voters are also worried that elected representatives may severing ties with PN at the state level after the formation of the Pakatan Harapan-led federal government. This move triggered a political crisis in January 2023 when the Sabah chapter of BN led by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin withdrew its support, saying that Hajiji had lost legitimacy as chief minister under the original PN-BN pact. representatives will intensify their efforts in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. Hajiji first became chief minister after GRS, then aligned with PN, secured a simple majority in the 2020 state election when he served as Sabah PN chairman. But in 2022, the then Sabah Bersatu chief left the party and repositioned his who administration under the GRS b a n n e r , effectively

general Anthony Loke said in a statement that he takes full responsibility for the setback. He said the party accepts and respects the decision of voters and extends

its congratulations to all winning parties and candidates. He added that the leadership would “take lessons from this outcome”, reassess its shortcomings and work towards rebuilding support ahead of the next election. Despite the defeat at the state level, Sabah DAP said it still has chronic underinvestment, weak monitoring and sluggish bureaucratic processes.” He said seamless state-federal cooperation would be critical for timely and effective delivery. “State-federal cooperation will determine funding reliability, project approval speed, institutional alignment and the technical capacity essential for implementing Sabah’s development priorities. “Administrative structure contributes more as overlapping mandates and procedural complexity consistently impede execution regardless of shifting political alliances.” Romzi said realistic progress is achievable if the government strengthens delivery capacity and enforces clear milestones. International Islamic University Malaysia and Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Shukri said people are tired of political rhetoric. “They want to see clear, tangible benefits. But before that benefit can come, in order to regain public trust, we also need stability. “Politicians in Sabah and the next government need to be serious and not engage in any party-hopping attempts that could destabilise the state. If the politics is unstable, it’s hard to talk about the other things like water and electricity.”

Hajiji and his wife Datin Seri Juliah Salag after casting their ballots at the Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Serusup polling centre for the Sulaman state seat yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

First 100 days vital for new govt: Analysts

Voter turnout of almost 61% meets Election Commission target

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

government they elected to show that they are taking the basic infrastructure issue as seriously as the MA63 issue.” Azmi said Sabah’s fragmented political landscape would complicate any attempt to emulate Sarawak’s approach, adding that diverse coalitions with differing ideologies could weaken the state’s negotiating leverage with Putrajaya. “The next government must follow through on what it promised during the campaign. Realistically, they cannot achieve it on their own. “Whether Sabah, Sarawak or the Peninsular states, they need federal support because infrastructure costs a lot of money.” Universiti Malaysia Sabah political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Romzi Ationg said Sabah’s development hurdles stem from deep-rooted implementation bottlenecks rather than political shifts alone. “The new government must prioritise essential infrastructure delivery, transparent public procurement and stronger institutional coordination to address longstanding development gaps statewide. “Basic services remain unresolved despite repeated commitments, held back by fragmented agencies, inconsistent political will,

PETALING JAYA: Sabah’s new government faces an immediate credibility test as analysts warn that in the first 100 days, it must show concrete progress on long-neglected infrastructure development instead of reverting to prolonged Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) debates or political manoeuvring. They say the focus must shift swiftly from campaign rhetoric to tangible delivery, particularly on basic amenities that have remained unresolved for decades despite repeated pledges. For a state long frustrated by stalled development, patchy public services and chronic political fragmentation, the ability to turn promises into visible progress will define the new administration’s standing from the outset. Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the most urgent challenge is resolving fundamental infrastructure deficits which now serve as a litmus test of performance and political seriousness. “For the first 100 days, priorities are basic infrastructure. Yes, the 40% royalty plus MA63 is appealing to voters but what they need right now is to see progress. “Sabahans want the state