KOTA KINABALU, November 29, 9.52PM — Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is emerging as the frontrunner in the 17th Sabah state election, with unofficial tallies showing the coalition leading with 26 seats, followed by Warisan with 13, Barisan Nasional (BN) with 9, and Pakatan Harapan (PH) with 2 as vote counting continues late into the night.
Polling stations closed at 5.30pm with a voter turnout of 60.94 per cent, and early counts quickly set the tone for a fiercely competitive race shaped by shifting alliances and heightened calls for stronger state autonomy.
As results streamed in from across the state, major upsets and dramatic reversals defined the evening. DAP was unofficially wiped out, losing all eight of its contested seats as a Chinese voter swing reshaped traditional urban strongholds.
Warisan delivered blows across DAP’s former bases, capturing Luyang, Tanjong Papat, Elopura, Tanjung Aru, and Sri Tanjong. BN secured key seats including Usukan and Bongawan, while Pakatan finally entered the board with wins in Sindumin and Melalap.
Several high-profile figures also saw mixed fortunes, with caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor retaining Sulaman, while former minister Anifah Aman and Sabah PN chairman Ronald Kiandee trailed significantly in their respective contests.
Independent candidates delivered surprises of their own — Fairuz Renddan is said to have defeated GRS heavyweight Pandikar Amin Mulia in Pintasan, while Datuk Maijol Mahap leads in Bandau. UPKO’s gamble appears to have paid off as president Datuk Ewon Benedick is believed to have secured Kadamaian.
With no single coalition on track for an outright majority, Sabah now heads into a potentially volatile night of negotiations as GRS, Warisan, BN, and PH prepare for intense post-election deal-making that could decisively shape both state governance and the national political landscape.
