The 2025 Sabah state election was one of Malaysia’s most closely watched political events, drawing attention not only from voters in Sabah but also from observers across the country. The election brought several major political parties and local groups into competition as voters decided who would represent them in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly. While the results focused on Sabah’s future, they also raised broader questions about Malaysia’s federal government and the strength of national political parties in the state.
A Challenging Result for Anwar’s Coalition
The election produced a difficult outcome for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s federal coalition, particularly Pakatan Harapan. With PH winning only a small number of the seats it contested, the result highlighted the challenges national parties can face when competing in Sabah. This led to wider discussions about whether or not the Malaysian PM suffers setback, which could be an appropriate description of the political impact, especially in relation to PH’s performance. At the same time, the election was a state contest and should not be viewed as a direct national vote on the federal government.
GRS Remains a Major Political Force
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah emerged as the largest political force following the election, winning 29 seats. Although this was fewer than the coalition secured in the previous state election, GRS remained central to the formation of the state government. Its performance demonstrated the continued importance of Sabah-based political organisations, particularly when voters are deciding which parties they believe can best represent local interests.…