Sabah’s political deadlock deepens as Warisan rejects assemblyman manipulation

No clear winner, no easy path forward. Sabah’s fractured election results force uneasy alliances as Warisan stands firm against political maneuvering.

, and Administrator

2025 December 2 . 1:15 PM

1 min read

This is a meeting hall where we can see a group of people sitting on chairs and also two flags of... — This is a meeting hall where we can see a group of people sitting on chairs and also two flags of other countries and the desk which is in orange color and some water bottles and mike on the desk.

Sabah’s political deadlock deepens as Warisan rejects assemblyman manipulation

Parti Warisan has dismissed claims of attempting to 'buy' or sway newly elected assemblymen in Sabah. The party’s president, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, stressed that leadership qualities must come from public trust, not manipulation. His statement follows the recent 17th Sabah State Election, where no single coalition secured a clear majority.

The election results left Sabah’s political landscape fragmented. Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) took 29 seats, while Warisan won 25. Barisan Nasional secured 6, Independents 5, and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) 3. Smaller parties—STAR, Perikatan Nasional, KDM, and Pakatan Harapan—each gained between 1 and 2 seats. A simple majority in the 74-seat assembly requires 37 seats, a threshold no opposition group reached in the 2024 election.

Warisan’s refusal to manipulate assemblymen keeps the focus on democratic principles. The party’s position leaves Sabah’s government formation in limbo, as no group currently holds the 37 seats needed for control. Further discussions among elected representatives will determine the next steps for the state’s leadership.