PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh has defended her election-night announcement that Pakatan Harapan (PH) would be part of Sabah’s new government, emphasising that the coalition has supported Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Hajiji Noor from the outset. She maintained that PH’s stance has always been guided by the intention to back any state administration aligned with the federal government under the Madani framework.
Fuziah explained that the outcome of the Sabah polls did not alter PH’s position, stating that the coalition has consistently backed Hajiji since the beginning. She stressed that PH remained focused on ensuring the state government aligns with Putrajaya’s direction, regardless of the number of seats the coalition managed to win.
Her comments came after criticism from DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, who questioned Fuziah’s decision to name PH as part of the incoming Sabah government without prior consultation. Loke said DAP had not been informed that a press conference would be held on polling night or that PH would be making a declaration about joining the new administration.
He also pointed out that PKR had secured only one seat in the Nov 29 state election and argued that GRS, as the party with the most seats, held the responsibility of announcing the formation of the government. Loke underscored that any official statement on the matter should come from the dominant coalition rather than from a component party with limited representation.
Fuziah, however, had gone ahead with a late-night press conference after the polls closed, stating that PH and GRS had already secured the numbers needed to form the new Sabah administration. Her assertion was made despite PH’s modest performance, winning only one seat in Melalap through a PKR candidate, while DAP failed to secure any of the eight seats it contested.
GRS emerged with 29 seats, placing it far ahead of its allies. It subsequently partnered with PH, Barisan Nasional, Upko, and five independents to build a wide coalition to govern Sabah.
The disagreement between Fuziah and Loke has highlighted tensions within PH regarding communication and coordination, particularly following an election where the coalition registered mixed results. Despite the public dispute, PH continues to frame its objective as supporting a state leadership aligned with the federal administration, signalling that its broader strategy remains unchanged even as internal voices call for clearer processes in decision-making.
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