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Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim Faces Electoral Setback in Sabah State Polls Amid Autonomy Demands

Nov 30, 2025 Malaysia Malaysia Politics
Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim Faces Electoral Setback in Sabah State Polls Amid Autonomy Demands

Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan coalition suffered a major defeat in Sabah state polls, winning just one of 20 contested seats. Local GRS allies ret

Anwar Ibrahim's Coalition Faces Significant Defeat in Sabah State Election

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has encountered his first significant electoral challenge since taking office, as his allied Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition suffered a considerable defeat in recent regional polls held in Sabah. The results, announced Sunday, mark a crucial test for Anwar three years into his premiership.

PH's Setback in Sabah

In the Sabah state election, PH managed to secure only one out of the 20 seats it contested. This represents a steep decline from the seven seats the coalition previously held in the eastern Bornean state. Political analyst Lee Kuok Tiung from Universiti Malaysia commented, "The Sabah election outcome shows Anwar's coalition lost badly," underscoring the severity of the setback.

This regional vote in Sabah is the initial contest in a series of state-level elections that will gauge the extent of Anwar's public support ahead of national polls, which are mandated by early 2028.

GRS Retains Power Amid Autonomy Calls

Despite the poor showing by Anwar’s direct allies, the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, which consists of state-based parties and is aligned with the Prime Minister's ruling bloc, successfully maintained its grip on power in Sabah. GRS faced its own pressures, particularly due to growing sentiment for increased state autonomy and its connection to Anwar's federal coalition.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim extended his congratulations to GRS leader Hajiji Noor on his re-appointment as Sabah's chief minister. He affirmed that the federal government "fully respects the strong and clear message" conveyed by the state's electorate. Anwar articulated on social media that Sabah voters are "demanding real change after being faced with injustice and neglect by almost all parties." Notably, his statement did not directly address the substantial losses incurred by his PH allies. His office chose not to provide further comment.

Understanding Local Priorities

Lee Kuok Tiung highlighted that Sabah voters prioritize regional political entities, a greater degree of self-governance, and tangible improvements in essential infrastructure such as water, electricity, and roads. He suggested that Anwar must deeply understand local sentiments and critically evaluate his administration's progress on promises made previously.

The issue of Sabah's entitlements recently came to the forefront when a Sabah minister resigned from Anwar's cabinet this month. This followed an October court ruling that found the federal government had unlawfully failed to honor a longstanding agreement. This 50-year-old accord stipulated that Sabah was entitled to 40% of all federal revenue generated from the state. Anwar stated on Sunday that his administration has been actively working to resolve Sabah's claims and will continue to provide assistance to the state.

Anwar's Path to Premiership

Anwar Ibrahim assumed the role of Prime Minister in November 2022. His ascent to power came after a general election resulted in a hung parliament, leading him to forge alliances with various opposing parties to form a stable government.

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