KUALA LUMPUR – Preliminary results from the 2025 Sabah state election reveal a commanding performance by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), while Barisan Nasional (BN) and Warisan also register significant victories. However, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) has been wiped out, failing to secure any seats.
GRS has claimed several key constituencies, including Balung, Telupid, Tanjong Batu, Pitas, Klias, and Tempasuk. Caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor successfully defended his Sulaman seat, bolstering his leadership position within the coalition. With over 20 seats already reported in the unofficial count, GRS is poised to form the next state government.
The seat, which has been Hajiji’s political stronghold since 1990, saw a five-way contest. Hajiji triumphed over BN’s Dr. Shahnon Rizal Thaijuddin, Warisan’s Mokhtar Hussin, PN’s Tiaminah @ Siti Aminah Ele, and PIS candidate Pajudin Nordin.
By 7pm, GRS had captured victories in key constituencies, including Banggi, Pintasan, Sulaman, Membakut, Karanaan, Kemabong, Sungai Manila, Apas, Sugut, and Labuk. Warisan secured seats in Luyang, Tanjung Aru, Elopura, Tanjung Papat, Bugaya, and Sri Tanjong.
As of 8.50pm, GRS won 22 seats, Warisan (11), BN (9), UPKO (1), followed by Independents (2).
A total of 73 state seats are up for grabs, and whichever coalition crosses the 37-seat threshold will be able to form the next Sabah government.
BN Makes a comeback
BN has made notable progress, winning seats in Usukan, and Sook. Veteran leaders such as Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak (Usukan) and Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Lamag) successfully defended their seats, signalling BN's ongoing relevance in Sabah politics. By 7.10pm, the coalition had secured eight seats, offering a strong foundation for its political revival in the state.
Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak successfully defended his Usukan seat for a second term, adding to BN's tally. The Usukan contest saw six candidates, including Warisan's Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis and independent candidate Ajun Meliyon. Salleh, also Umni Sabah’s treasurer, first captured the seat in 2020 with a 4,298-vote majority.
Warisan remains competitive, particularly along the east coast. Party president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal retained his Senallang seat, while the party also claimed victories in Sulabayan and Kapayan. With 11 seats secured, Warisan remains a powerful force, despite GRS's dominance in the early results.
DAP suffers crushing defeat
In a dramatic shift, DAP failed to retain any of its eight seats, marking one of its worst performances in Sabah. The Kapayan seat, previously held by Datuk Jannie Lasimbang, was won by Warisan's Chin Tek Ming. Analysts have described the result as a "Chinese tsunami" against DAP, signalling a significant shift in voter sentiment.
Independent candidates and smaller parties have had little impact, with only a few minor breakthroughs in the highly competitive race, which featured 596 candidates from 22 parties. Former Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, who contested in Bongawan, was among those defeated, highlighting the challenges faced by non-aligned candidates in Sabah's political landscape.
With DAP eliminated and smaller parties largely sidelined, the balance of power now rests between GRS, BN, and Warisan. The Election Commission is expected to announce official results later tonight, but early indications suggest that GRS is set to lead the next Sabah government.
Datuk Ewon Benedick, President of the Kinabalu Progressive Party (UPKO), has also emerged victorious in the Kadamaian seat. - November 29, 2025
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