Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) are close to finalising seat negotiations for the upcoming Sabah state election, with only minor differences remaining, according to PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Smooth Negotiations with Minimal Conflicts
Speaking at a press conference in the Parliament media centre on Thursday, October 9, 2025, Saifuddin revealed that discussions among the coalition partners are in their final stages. “There is just a little left. While there are conflicting views, it’s minimal,” he said, expressing confidence in the progress made. He also announced that a special press conference will soon be held to provide further details on the matter.
Dissolution of Sabah State Assembly
The announcement follows Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor’s declaration on Monday, October 6, 2025, that the Sabah State Assembly had been dissolved. Hajiji made the statement after meeting with state assemblymen at Menara Kinabalu, having secured the consent of Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman at Istana Seri Kinabalu. The dissolution paves the way for the 17th Sabah State Election, which will involve 79 seats, comprising 73 elected and six appointed members.
Election Commission to Set Key Dates
The Election Commission (EC) is scheduled to convene a special meeting on October 16, 2025, to determine key dates and other logistical details for the upcoming election. This meeting will set the timeline for what promises to be a closely watched contest in Sabah’s political landscape.
