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THE political alliance between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) is widely viewed as a prudent strategy to consolidate influence and secure a comfortable majority in the 17th Sabah State Election.
Associate Professor Dr Syahruddin Awang Ahmad, Senior Lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), emphasised that only a robust majority can bring about the stable government that the people of Sabah desire.
He pointed out that parties contesting independently are unlikely to secure the simple majority of 37 out of 73 State Legislative Assembly seats. Consequently, early political cooperation is deemed essential.
Dr Syahruddin described the potential formation of a GRS-PH coalition government, should the alliance gain the electorate’s mandate, as a pragmatic approach to guarantee administrative stability and continuity in the state’s development policies.
“Owing to this, leaders must demonstrate political maturity by prioritising the state’s interests above partisan agendas,” he told Bernama.
The election is expected to be particularly complex, with multiple coalitions including GRS-PH, Barisan Nasional-PH, and local parties such as Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) contesting separately.
Dr Syahruddin noted that early analysis by UMS’s GeoPES (Borneo Electoral and Geopolitical Studies) research team suggests most constituencies will see narrow vote margins due to unprecedented competition and vote fragmentation.
“With changing political dynamics, including local party divisions and the presence of GRS-PH and BN, votes are likely to be split further. Urban voters, in particular, will assess candidates on individual merit rather than party affiliation. Hence, smaller majorities, even for incumbent parties, seem the more realistic outcome,” he explained.
Senior Lecturer Dr Haryati Abdul Karim from UMS’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities described GRS’s early announcement of cooperation with PH as a shrewd move. This, she said, sends a clear message that GRS-PH intends to jointly form the government if entrusted with the mandate.
She added that current trends indicate no single party will dominate, making coalition governments formed through political cooperation the most viable option.
Dr Haryati warned that if GRS were to contest alone, it might struggle amid ongoing issues affecting the populace, such as unresolved basic infrastructure problems like water supply.
“Choosing to collaborate with PH, which includes national parties like PKR and DAP, will help maintain strong ties between the state and federal governments,” she remarked.
Dr Haryati underscored that good relations with the federal administration are crucial to ensuring the continuation of development projects in Sabah, thereby preventing the state’s population from falling behind in progress.
Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, GRS Chairman, has previously highlighted the importance of close state-federal ties for advancing Sabah’s development. He stressed the need to sustain and further strengthen the existing cooperation, particularly through the GRS-PH alliance. - October 8, 2025