As the Sabah state election looms, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), allies at the federal level, face potential clashes over several constituencies, a development that could strain their partnership during the campaign, according to political analysts.
Bilcher Bala and Syahruddin Awang Ahmad from Universiti Malaysia Sabah described these conflicts as “almost certain,” citing recent demands from a state Umno leader for BN to reclaim traditional seats previously allocated to PH. A key flashpoint is the Gum-Gum seat, which BN lost to Warisan in a six-cornered contest during the September 2020 Sabah election, when PH was aligned with Warisan, led by Shafie Apdal.
“The prospect of clashes is very real,” Bilcher said, warning that such disputes could undermine grassroots confidence and voter trust, signaling a perceived erosion of coalition principles.
While PH, BN, and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) are federal allies, BN operates as the opposition in Sabah. PH has forged separate agreements with both BN and GRS, but tensions persist, as BN and GRS have refused to collaborate and are prepared to compete directly in certain seats.
Syahruddin cautioned that disagreements over seats, particularly if campaigns turn personal or raise sensitive issues, could sour BN-PH relations. “This is not merely a contest between candidates but a clash of party machinery,” he noted.
On Friday, PH Secretary-General Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that seat negotiations with BN were nearing completion, with only two to three constituencies still under discussion. His statement followed calls from Libaran Umno chief Suhaimi Nasir for Sabah BN to reclaim Gum-Gum, a seat initially designated for PH in prior agreements. Gum-Gum, alongside Sungai Manila and Sungai Sibuga, falls under the Libaran parliamentary constituency.
On September 13, PKR Deputy President Nurul Izzah Anwar launched the party’s election machinery for Gum-Gum, signaling PH’s determination to contest the seat in the state polls, expected by year-end.
Despite these tensions, both analysts remain optimistic about post-election reconciliation. Syahruddin highlighted the fluid nature of Sabah’s politics since the 14th General Election and the 2020 state election, expressing confidence that PH Chairman Anwar Ibrahim and BN Chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, partners in the federal unity government, would prioritize reconciliation to ensure stability. “This reflects a broader trend in Malaysian politics, where ideology often yields to the pursuit of a governing majority,” he said.
Bilcher echoed this view, noting that even if contests occur, post-election cooperation is feasible, particularly if no single coalition secures a clear majority.
The current Sabah legislative assembly’s term expires on November 11, with the election required within 60 days of its dissolution.
