Malaysia PM Faces Electoral Setback as Allies Lose Ground in Sabah
Kuala Lumpur — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is confronting a significant political setback after his coalition suffered heavy losses in Sabah’s state election, marking a challenging early test of public sentiment ahead of national polls expected by 2028.
Official results released on Sunday show that Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition secured only one of the twenty seats it contested in the state, a decline from the seven seats it previously held, underscoring a shift in voter preferences in one of Malaysia’s most politically diverse regions.
The regional vote is the first in a series of state-level elections that analysts believe will signal evolving public expectations, particularly in states demanding stronger local governance and clearer development commitments from the federal administration.
Sabah, located on the island of Borneo, has long sought increased autonomy and equitable resource distribution. The election placed these issues at the forefront as local parties emphasized longstanding concerns about infrastructure gaps, economic inequality and governance challenges that residents say have persisted for decades.
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), a coalition of Sabah-based parties allied with the federal government, managed to retain its hold on the state despite strong electoral pressure and growing skepticism over its partnership with PH. The coalition’s leader, Hajiji Noor, secured reappointment as chief minister with support from the state assembly.
Prime Minister Anwar congratulated Hajiji and acknowledged the broader message delivered by Sabah’s electorate, stating that the federal government respects the clarity of voter sentiment and recognizes the urgent expectations for meaningful improvements.
He commented that Sabahans are calling for concrete change, referencing frustrations over long-standing issues involving development delays, administrative challenges and unmet state-level commitments. However, his remarks avoided a direct acknowledgment of PH’s heavy losses in the regional polls.
A spokesperson from the prime minister’s office declined additional comment on the coalition’s electoral performance. Political analysts noted that Anwar faces an important moment to reassess the administration’s engagement with Sabah amid calls for deeper state-level empowerment.
Lee Kuok Tiung, an academic specializing in Malaysian politics, said the outcome underlines Sabah voters’ strong preference for regional parties that focus on local priorities such as water supply improvements, better road networks and reliable electricity access. He added that the federal government must evaluate its progress on longstanding pledges and cultivate stronger trust with the electorate.
Political tensions in Sabah have sharpened in recent months after a court ruling in October found that the federal government had failed to honor a decades-old revenue-sharing agreement. The agreement, made more than 50 years ago, entitled Sabah to 40% of federal revenue generated from the state, a point that has remained central in autonomy-related discussions.
Following the ruling, a Sabah minister resigned from Anwar’s cabinet earlier this month, signaling widening dissatisfaction within segments of the state’s leadership. The decision intensified calls for greater transparency and accelerated negotiations over the implementation of the revenue arrangement.
Prime Minister Anwar stated on Sunday that his administration has taken steps to resolve Sabah’s financial claims and affirmed that efforts will continue to address the state’s priorities through policy coordination and federal assistance programs.
Anwar came to power in November 2022 after forming a unity government with rival parties following a tightly contested general election that resulted in a hung parliament. The latest developments in Sabah are likely to shape political strategies ahead of the next general election cycle, offering insights into how regional dynamics may influence national political alignments.
