Anwar's Allies Take a Hit in Sabah Elections

In a recent regional vote, the coalition backing Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faced a significant loss. The Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, led by Anwar, only secured one out of the 20 seats they competed for in Sabah. This is a drop from the seven seats they previously held in the state. The election was seen as an early test of Anwar's popularity since he took office three years ago. Despite the setback for Anwar's allies, the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, which is aligned with Anwar's ruling bloc, managed to keep control of Sabah. This state is one of Malaysia's largest but also one of the poorest. The GRS has been under scrutiny for its connection to Anwar's coalition, as many in Sabah are pushing for more independence. Anwar congratulated the GRS leader, Hajiji Noor, on his reappointment as Sabah's chief minister. He acknowledged the strong message from Sabah's voters, who are calling for real change due to feelings of injustice and neglect. However, Anwar did not directly address the poor performance of his PH allies in the election. His office chose not to comment further. Political analysts suggest that Sabah voters prioritize regional parties and greater autonomy. They also want improvements in basic services like water, electricity, and roads. Anwar may need to reassess his government's progress on earlier promises to address these concerns. Recently, a minister from Sabah stepped down from Anwar's cabinet. This followed a court ruling that the federal government had failed to uphold an agreement made over 50 years ago. Under this agreement, Sabah was supposed to receive 40% of the federal revenue generated from the state. Anwar has stated that his administration is working to resolve these claims and will continue to support Sabah. Anwar became prime minister in November 2022 after forming a government with opposing parties following an election that resulted in a hung parliament. The recent election in Sabah is just the first of several regional votes that will test Anwar's support before the next national elections, which are due by early 2028.