Kota Kinabalu – Polling day for the 17th Sabah State Election is underway, with voters flocking to cast their ballots in a highly contested race centred on long-standing issues of development and the perennial call for greater state autonomy.
As of 4:00 PM today, the Election Commission (EC) reported a turnout of 60.94 per cent, representing over 1.06 million of the 1.74 million eligible voters, indicating a robust democratic exercise in the East Malaysian state.
The election, which will determine the government for the state’s 73 seats in the Legislative Assembly, has been marked by significant political fragmentation, with an unprecedented number of candidates vying for office.
The incumbent Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, led by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, is seeking a fresh mandate to govern. Their main challenger is the Parti Warisan (WARISAN), headed by state opposition leader Shafie Apdal, in a political landscape that remains fluid and unpredictable.
Barisan Nasional (BN) and other smaller local and national parties are also major contenders, leading to numerous multi-cornered contests across the state.
Key Issues Dominate Campaign Trail
The political discourse throughout the campaign period has been largely dominated by tangible, local issues that affect the daily lives of Sabahans.
Frustration over chronic and inadequate infrastructure, specifically frequent water cuts, unreliable electricity supply, and poor road networks, has been a central theme.
Political analysts note that voters are increasingly weary of general promises, preferring concrete, localised solutions.
This focus on core services is inextricably linked to the broader, deeply resonant sentiment of “Sabah for Sabahans.” Local parties have amplified their rhetoric, arguing they are the only political entities truly capable of championing the state’s rights, particularly its entitlement to 40 per cent of the revenue it contributes to the Federal Government under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
This narrative taps into a persistent anti-Peninsular Malaysia sentiment, with parties vying to position themselves as the most forceful advocates for Sabah’s economic and political self-determination.
Associate Professor Dr Syahruddin Awang Ahmad, a political analyst from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, observed that while the campaign initially started on a lukewarm note, the parties were expected to ramp up their efforts towards the final week.
“The public are more concerned about their daily struggles and are tired of recycled promises like water, electricity and other basic issues,” he noted earlier this week, highlighting a voter base focused on practical governance outcomes.
The Decisive Youth Vote
Another critical factor in this election is the considerable influence of Sabah’s young voters. With the lowering of the voting age, youth now comprise more than half of the total electorate.
This demographic is reportedly less susceptible to traditional party loyalties and ideological appeals. Instead, they are driven by specific, issue-based concerns and a desire for accountability.
Despite their demographic weight, only a small percentage of candidates are under the age of 40, according to recent research.
The challenge for political parties has been to effectively pivot their strategies to address the localised, pragmatic demands of this substantial and potentially decisive voting bloc, rather than relying on appeals to older, more predictable voters.
The large number of multi-cornered fights means that mobilising this youth vote is crucial for securing a majority, which requires 37 seats in the 73-seat assembly.
As the polls close this evening, all eyes will be on the outcome. A win for the GRS-led coalition could promise continuity and stability, while a victory for WARISAN or a highly fragmented result could necessitate complex post-election negotiations.
Analysts suggest that the outcome of this state election will not only shape Sabah’s immediate future but could also have ramifications for the broader federal political landscape.
