TAWAU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliance appears to be strengthening ahead of the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN), clearly indicating that both government blocs are ready to defend the state’s administration.
Political observer Mohd. Zaki Harry Susanto believes this political collaboration can change the election landscape this time, as GRS brings rural strength while PH is strong in urban areas.
“This strategic alliance is expected to prevent clashes among government parties in Sabah, thereby concentrating votes on candidates representing this official coalition.
“This is because GRS still holds significant influence in rural areas like Nabawan, Keningau, and Pitas, along with several regions on Sabah’s east coast, thanks to a strong grassroots machinery and support from local community leaders.
“PH is expected to maintain its stronghold in urban areas such as Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau, which lean towards reform issues and good governance.”
Zaki further stated that both blocs are likely to benefit greatly from seat coordination and machinery, with PH focusing its campaign on national issues while GRS emphasizes local development matters.
“This strategy is seen as a way to strengthen voter confidence in the continuity of the current administration, as well as the ongoing momentum of development in Sabah and the benefits of maintaining good relations with the federal government,” he said.
However, the main challenge for GRS+PH is the perception of hardcore supporters who may be uncomfortable with the combination of differing ideologies.
Additionally, the presence of other blocs like WARISAN, PN, and BN could potentially split votes in mixed areas, making the competition more intense.
“I anticipate that the GRS+PH coalition has the potential to secure 40 out of 73 DUN seats if this cooperation remains strong and seat distribution is done strategically,” he said.
