As polls loom, Anwar says he'll continue to mend Sabah BN-GRS ties

Summary

• Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim indicates that he will continue his efforts to bring Sabah BN and GRS together as state polls loom, despite their decision not to work together.

• The prime minister also says there will be a special allocation for Sabah under Budget 2026 and reaffirms the state’s constitutional right to 40 percent of federal revenue.

Despite soured ties between Sabah BN and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim indicated that he will continue to mediate efforts to bring both coalitions under a single allied front for the upcoming state election.

The Pakatan Harapan chairperson also said his coalition would maintain its existing electoral pacts with BN and GRS, adding negotiations with the latter’s coalition chief, Hajiji Noor, were still ongoing.

“We are working with BN and GRS. That is our stand,” he told reporters after attending an event at Kampung Kobuni, Inanam, Sabah today.

Anwar is scheduled to be in Sabah until tomorrow.

Harapan is in a bizarre situation where it is maintaining separate pacts with BN and GRS.

This comes as Sabah BN and GRS have publicly declared they will not cooperate with each other, which may lead to potential clashes in constituencies not contested by Harapan.

Harapan and BN have nearly finalised their seat-sharing arrangement, with BN eyeing 44 to 45 seats and the remainder allocated to Harapan.

GRS, however, is pushing for 55 seats while Harapan is asking for 23, indicating there are still issues that require addressing.

The five-year term of the 73-seat assembly ends on Nov 11, with Hajiji expected to call the polls before then.

Separately, Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also arrived in Sabah earlier today to discuss, among others, the coalition’s cooperation with GRS to face the upcoming state election.

“We believe that any form of cooperation must prioritise and respect Sabahans’ voice, which would benefit the people and the state,” he said on Facebook today.

Special allocation for Sabah

During the event, Anwar pledged that Sabah would receive special allocations under Budget 2026 while reaffirming the state’s constitutional right to 40 percent of federal revenue.

“Sabah must not be neglected. In Budget 2026, I want there to be a special announcement for Sabah.

“We must improve schools, roads, and deal with floods; this is my commitment,” he told a crowd in Kampung Kobuni.

He stressed that development funds would not only be channelled to Kota Kinabalu but also to rural districts.

“It is not only Kota Kinabalu. Keningau, Tenom, Pitas, Nabawan - all must benefit. This is the meaning of justice for Sabah.”

The budget is expected to be tabled on Oct 10.

On sharing 40 percent of federal revenue, Anwar said Sabah’s constitutional right cannot be denied, but cautioned that the implementation must take into account Malaysia’s overall financial position.

“We cannot deny this right. The only issue is the mechanism, and the country’s financial capacity must be considered. But my commitment is clear: we will not reject this claim,” Anwar said.

Anwar also confirmed that the government was moving ahead with Sabah and Sarawak’s request for additional parliamentary seats, in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“Sabah and Sarawak must not be sidelined. The request for more parliamentary seats has been approved in principle, and we are working on the details with the Election Commission,” he said, referring to the recently concluded MA63 talks in Kuching, Sarawak.

How can DCM apply for private firm, Warisan rep asks over mining scandal

Anwar takes pot shots at Sabah leaders over corruption

Sabah Umno urges MACC to take action against Kitingan

DAP leader praises Hajiji over UEC recognition, scholarship pledges

How to wrest Sabah rights with compromised reps, Warisan leaders ask