DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has sharply criticised PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh for announcing Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) participation in forming the Sabah state government without consultation, calling the move improper and embarrassing for the coalition.
He said the declaration—made through a late-night press conference on polling day—caught DAP entirely off guard, as the party had no knowledge that such an event was even planned. Loke, speaking in a Chinese-language podcast, described the announcement as a serious misstep that projected disunity within PH at a critical moment.
Loke stressed that such statements carry major political implications and should only be made by the bloc that secured the most seats, not a coalition partner with minimal representation. He pointed out that PKR had won just one seat in the Nov 29 Sabah election, while DAP failed to secure any of the eight seats it contested.
According to him, only Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) had the legitimacy to speak on government formation, as it emerged with 29 seats—making it the clear lead stakeholder in the process. He said any coalition-building efforts should be led by GRS chairman Hajiji Noor, who holds the mandate to announce partnerships and confirm the formation of the administration.
On polling night, Fuziah declared that PH and GRS had secured the numbers to jointly form the new Sabah government. The announcement was made despite PH’s minimal electoral gains and without alignment among its component parties.
GRS went on to form the state government with Barisan Nasional, Upko, and five independents, consolidating a governing majority. PH, meanwhile, joined the arrangement with only a single seat to its name.
Loke’s remarks highlight growing frustration within DAP over unilateral decisions that undermine coalition discipline. He emphasised that political announcements carrying such weight must be coordinated and agreed upon collectively, especially in a coalition that depends heavily on cooperation to maintain credibility.
He added that the episode risked making PH appear disorganised during a crucial post-election period, when public attention is sharply focused on negotiations and alliances. For Loke, the controversy underscored the importance of adhering to proper protocol and respecting each party’s role within the coalition.
The incident adds another layer of complexity to Sabah’s political landscape, where shifting alliances and fragile majorities frequently shape the state’s governance—and where miscommunication within national coalitions can have lasting repercussions.
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