By NT
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Legislative Assembly (DUN) has officially dissolved today, Monday, October 6, 2025, paving the way for the 17th state general election.
Following the announcement by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor this afternoon, political leaders from both small and large parties, local and overseas, have begun to buzz with discussions about “candidates” and “seats”.
Sabah political activist and observer Dr. Kanul Gindol believes that this time, the election players in Sabah can be categorized into five competing and intersecting groups.
He explained that the first group consists of the ruling parties GRS and PH, the second group includes solo parties like Warisan, KDM, and PIS, the third group is BN, particularly Umno, which is friendly with PH but opposes GRS, the fourth group comprises ‘small’ and independent parties, including a group that calls themselves “black wave” and PN, while the fifth group consists of Star and SAPP, which recently left GRS but hopes to contest in all PH areas and possibly against BN or ‘Peninsular parties’.
“All these parties or groups will also depend on the popularity of their ‘candidates’ to be accepted by 1.7 million Sabah voters.
However, the ones most frequently mentioned as likely to win ‘many’ seats are only a few, such as GRS, Warisan, PH, Umno, and KDM,” he stated when contacted by Jesselton Times for his comments immediately after the dissolution was announced.
He noted that based on initial surveys, Warisan has its own strengths in the DUN areas of Senallang, Sulabayan, Bugaya, Kunak, Merotai, Sebatik, Kukusan, Lahad Datu, Tungku, Sekong, Karamunting, Elopura, Gum-Gum, Sukau, Darau, Karambunai, Liawan, Tanjung Aru, Petagas, Bogawan, Sindumin, Banggi, Moyog, and Sri Tanjong.
GRS has a strong presence in the DUNs of Sulaman, Karanaan, Membakut, Klias, Lumadan, Kuala Penyu, Sungai Sibuga, Nabawan, Kemabong, Apas, Pitas, Kuamut, Kundasang, Telupid, Labuk, Kawang, and Kiulu, but faces fierce competition from KDM.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) is also reported to still have solid support in the DUNs of Inanam, Likas, Api-Api, Kadamaian, Tamparuli, Luyang, Kapayan, Tanjung Papat, and Likas.
According to Dr. Kanul, Barisan Nasional (BN) is seen to have opportunities in the DUNs of Usukan, Tempasuk, Lamag, Sukau, Segama, Sungai Manila, Bengkoka, Tanjung Batu, Sugut, Pintasan, Pantai Manis, Tanjung Keramat, Pantai Dalit, and Balung.
STAR is said to have strong supporters in the DUNs of Tambunan, Sook, and Bingkor; however, the group is reportedly beginning to experience “directional confusion” as four out of six STAR assemblymen chose to remain with GRS today.
They were present when Hajiji announced the dissolution, claiming that the four assemblymen are aligned with GRS.
The KDM party is expected to pose a challenge in the DUNs of Matunggong, Bandau, Tandek, Paginatan, Melalap, Tulid, Tamparuli, and Limbahau.
The independent or “Black Wave” candidates also have a chance to win in the DUN of Tanjung Kapor (Kudat), but are said to face stiff competition from the Youth Chief of Warisan Sabah.
Dr. Kanul believes the situation will become clearer after or leading up to the candidate nomination when all political parties or groups announce their candidate lists.
“So far, besides the GRS and PH groups, only Warisan and PIS have declared their intention to contest all 73 seats, with BN, KDM, and now STAR/SAPP expected to field candidates in ‘many’ constituencies.
“At this point, it is still unclear if any party will achieve the ‘magic number 37’ or a ‘simple majority’. Many observers believe that the next Sabah state government may be a coalition of two parties, or possibly a mixed government comprising various parties; we will wait for the candidate nominations,” he added.
