Sabah votes: Leaders make final call urging voters to fulfil civic duty as turnout climbs

SABAH political leaders have urged citizens to exercise their right to vote as the state’s 17th General Election continues, with voter turnout reaching 56.78 per cent as of 3pm today.

The Election Commission reported that 56.78 per cent of the state’s 1.7 million eligible ordinary voters have cast their ballots, while early voting on Wednesday saw 92.5 per cent participation, or 17,615 voters.

Parti Warisan president, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, called on Sabahans to encourage all voters to take part in the electoral process.

 Defending his Senallang seat, Mohd Shafie cast his vote at SK Bubul at 8.45am.

“I hope that the election process this time will proceed in accordance with the law. What is important is that we encourage as many voters as possible, whether they live near or far, to carry out their responsibility by coming out to vote, because this is important for us, the space and opportunity given for us to exercise our rights as voters,” he told reporters.

Mohd Shafie emphasised the significance of the election’s outcome for Sabah’s future.

“What we decide today will certainly determine the future of Sabah and the children of Sabah,” he added. He faces a four-cornered contest in Senallang, which has 20,763 registered voters, against Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s Marunda KK Ampong, Parti Bersatu Sasa Malaysia’s Abdul Majid Angkulan, and Mohd Lipai @ Samsu Sundalu from Parti Impian Sabah. Mohd Shafie won the seat in 2020 with a 4,631-vote majority.

Meanwhile, caretaker chief minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor appealed to voters in his Sulaman constituency to participate, after casting his ballot at SK Serusup at 11.30am alongside his wife, Datin Seri Panglima Juliah Salag.

“I received early reports that the voting process is running smoothly, peacefully, and in an orderly manner. Although many candidates are contesting, harmony has been maintained. Therefore, I urge the public to come out early to vote because we are concerned that it may rain in the afternoon,” Hajiji said.

Hajiji, who has held the Sulaman seat since 1990, is facing four challengers — Barisan Nasional’s Dr Shahnon Rizal Thaijuddin, Parti Warisan’s Moktar Hussin, Pajudin Nordin from Parti Impian Sabah, and Tiaminah @ Siti Aminah Ele from Perikatan Nasional.

The constituency has 18,352 registered voters. In 2020, Hajiji secured a 3,099-vote majority with 5,919 votes.

With voter participation steadily climbing and candidates from multiple parties contesting key seats, Sabahans are seizing their opportunity to influence the direction of the state for the next five years. - November 29, 2025