KOTA KINABALU: Political parties in Sabah can opt to consider friendly contests among coalition partners instead of letting overlaps cause friction and disunity, says former chief minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.
He said it would make more sense to work together even when they contest in the same seats, a sign of maturity and mutual respect with the understanding that whoever wins, the seat remains part of the coalition.
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“In any political coalition, it’s normal for two or more parties to be interested in the same seat.
"In a diverse state like Sabah, this is expected. What matters is how we manage it – with maturity and mutual respect,” he said on Tuesday (June 10).
Salleh said friendly contests where coalition partners compete openly but remain united in purpose can prevent friction or the presence of proxy independent candidates.
He said a friendly contest is not a free-for-all but a planned, respectful arrangement where parties agree to contest the same seat, with the understanding that whoever wins, the seat remains part of the coalition.
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“To manage this effectively, parties must balance political realism with respect for one another’s grassroots presence.
"Friendly contests are not about ego but finding practical solutions on the ground,” he said.
Salleh said a professional assessment was essential to decide where this approach would be suitable, taking into account past election results, local support levels, proposed candidates and potential seat swaps.
Poorly-managed overlaps risk splitting votes, which would ultimately benefit the coalition's rivals, he added.
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He said that if at least half of Sabah’s 73 state seats can be settled without overlap, that already builds a strong foundation.
“For the rest, friendly contests should only be used when negotiations don’t produce agreement and even then, only with a clear understanding,” he stressed, adding that similar models exist in other countries such as India, Germany and Indonesia.
He said this approach helps reduce tension between party machinery, maintains unity, and gives voters clarity while enabling cooperation without forcing unrealistic compromises.
He said this is a practical and realistic option for Sabah if done professionally with trust and shared commitment to forming a stable government.
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Salleh said political maturity means knowing when to compete and when to come together without breaking an alliance.
While some may argue that it would be better to go solo and form a coalition after the election, this creates uncertainty for voters, candidates and future governance, he said.
It opens the door to personal agendas and unstable post-election deals, he said, because at the end of the day, voters want leadership that works together rather than endless internal friction.
“What they deserve is a coalition that puts people first and delivers results,” he added.
