KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans head to the voting booths today after an uncharacteristically low-key campaign in what is turning out to be the biggest political battleground.
A record 596 candidates – from 23 parties and independents – are in the fray for 73 seats, while a total of 1.7 million people are eligible to vote.
A recent court ruling affirming Sabah’s constitutional right to 40% of its federal revenue has added to the drama.
Both sides of the political divide have also been pushing for more money to improve Sabah’s basic infrastructure as well as healthcare and education needs.
Pundits are predicting the polls will result in a hung assembly with no clear winner, and a new coalition government is widely expected to be formed after the results are announced.
The incumbent Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and its electoral partner Pakatan Harapan, led by caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, may not get the 37 seats needed to form a state government with a simple majority.
Key rival Warisan, under former chief minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, is seen to be the closest rival, while a resurgent Sabah Barisan Nasional led by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin could turn out to be the kingmaker.
Political observers say that almost a third of Sabah voters remain undecided and confused.
“These are mainly young voters under the age of 30, who make up nearly 534,000 votes,” said ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute research centre.
If there is no clear winner, the state’s fringe parties could become crucial.
These include native-based Sabah STAR led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Upko led by Datuk Ewon Benedick and Parti KDM under acting president Priscella Peter, the daughter of jailed party president Datuk Peter Anthony.
Political analyst Bridget Welsh said the outcome of the Sabah state polls will have national implications, so it is a high-stakes election for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan.
“I think it is also a situation to set the ground before the the 16th General Election,” she said.
She said the polls would also test political alliances.
“It is a test on whether or not the system works. Can you fight and then be friends after that?
“It will impact not only the government, but also Pakatan, which one party left recently,” said Welsh, who is also expecting a hung assembly situation.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Noor Yazid said the outcome of the polls would have implications on the Melaka and Johor state elections due in the coming year.
“If Pakatan and GRS do well, that’s a sign that Sabahans support Anwar. “But if it is otherwise, that is a sign of rejection.
“That is a very strong implication to the whole of Malaysia,” said the senior research fellow at the International Relations and Politics Cluster, Borneo Institute for Indigenous Studies.
Warisan is contesting all the 73 seats in Sabah, Parti Impian Sabah is contesting in 72, GRS (55), Sabah STAR (46), Barisan (45), Perikatan (42) and Parti KDM (40).
Upko is contesting 25, Pakatan (22), Parti Kebangsaan Sabah (20), Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (17), Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (16), Parti Bumi Kenyalang (14), Parti Rumpun Sabah (seven), Sabah Progressive Party (six), Parti Damai Sabah (five) and three each from Pertubuhan Gemilang Anak Sabah, Parti Bangsa Malaysia and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak.
There is one candidate from Pejuang and Parti Bersatu Sasa Malaysia and Perpaduan.
A total of 74 independent candidates are contesting.
