Sabah’s post-election calm is fraying barely a day after the new cabinet was unveiled, with a dozen Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) assemblypersons and a handful of independents signalling open resentment over the composition of the state government.

What began as muted grumbling in private WhatsApp groups has spilt dramatically into the open, with several lawmakers effectively holding the Chief Minister Hajiji Noor-led administration ransom, by airing threats, frustrations, and political warnings online.

At the heart of their anger is the...