GRS, Harapan, BN ties tense up due to overlapping seats

 

Seat negotiations between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Pakatan Harapan, and BN have entered a tense phase, complicated by premature candidacy declarations before talks conclude.

Sources familiar with the discussions said GRS has finalised its internal formula to contest 52 of Sabah’s 73 seats, leaving 20 for Harapan, but the final list has yet to be formally presented to Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim.

“The numbers are fixed. However, when partners start naming candidates before the deal is closed, it creates unnecessary pressure and confusion,” said a GRS source close to the party leadership who requested anonymity.

Harapan’s partnership with BN is also facing problems. Although BN earlier said it was close to concluding talks with Harapan, several constituencies are showing signs of overlap.

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Harapan is maintaining separate arrangements with GRS and BN, a situation the media have described as a “political love triangle”.

Confusion galore

Although polling day is set on Nov 29, with nomination on Nov 15, unofficial campaigning has already begun since the dissolution of the state assembly on Oct 6, with premature announcements from political leaders complicating the situation.

And it is made worse with Harapan component parties - PKR, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), Amanah, and DAP - eyeing certain seats among themselves.

Upko’s declaration that it will contest under its own logo instead of Harapan’s also complicated matters further.

In Tanjung Aru, for instance, Upko treasurer-general Dennison R Indang has emerged as a likely Harapan candidate.

However, DAP’s Phoong Jin Zhe and BN’s Reduan Aklee have also been linked to the seat, setting up a showdown against incumbent Warisan assemblyperson, Junz Wong.

Phoong, the incumbent Luyang assemblyperson, and Reduan, Umno’s candidate in 2020, are both expected to contest for Tanjung Aru, creating a possible three-way battle between DAP, Upko, and Umno.

An Upko insider said internal frustrations were growing as other Harapan components began staking claims before negotiations were finalised.

“Some parties are already doing groundwork and behaving like the deal is done when it isn’t,” the source said.

A similar situation looms in Darau, a constituency created in 2020. The seat, narrowly won by Warisan’s Azhar Matussin, is now being eyed by Upko, PKR, and GRS.

Upko is expected to field Fardy Bungga, a journalist and youth leader, while GRS insiders said their secretary-general, Razali Razi, has long prepared to contest the seat.

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Several PKR divisional leaders in Sepanggar have also begun groundwork, setting the stage for what observers describe as “a friendly but confusing fight among allies”.

Jumping the gun

In Inanam, where a 10-way fight is expected, incumbent Peto Galim will seek re-election under Harapan, but GRS is also rumoured to be planning to field its own candidate.

Upko secretary-general Nelson Angang recently said his party plans to contest in eight seats, although Upko was reportedly offered only two, Kadamaian and Moyog, under the Harapan quota.

On Monday, Amanah became the first Harapan component to officially name a candidate, Julpikar Ab Mijan, for the Sulabayan seat, a traditional Umno stronghold, setting up a possible clash with the nationalist party.

Its incumbent, Jaujan Sambakong of Warisan, previously held the seat under Umno.

Sabah DAP is also weighing whether to contest under its own logo, with its chairperson Phoong reportedly considering a move from Luyang to Tanjung Aru as mentioned above.

“The problem isn’t just about numbers. It’s that too many are acting like the deal is done when it isn’t,” said a DAP insider familiar with the ongoing negotiations.

Other rumoured overlaps include Bandau (PKR’s Zaidi Jaitil vs GRS’ Redonah Bahanda) and unresolved seats such as Sindumin, Merotai, Kadamaian, Limbahau, and Moyog.

If Redonah is dropped, it was reported that the Blackwave group - a team of independent candidates led by Kudat MP Verdon Bahanda - would offer Redonah a chance to take on PKR for Bandau.

Clash inevitable? 

In Sindumin, former Sipitang MP Yamani Hafez Musa, son of Sabah governor Musa Aman, has been tipped as a PKR candidate, while GRS’ Yusof Yacob, the incumbent, is also eyeing to defend his seat.

Hafez is seen as part of PKR’s “professional parachute” list identified by the party’s Sabah chief, Mustapha Sakmud, while Yusof, a former Warisan assemblyperson, now represents GRS.

Aside from Sindumin, Sungai Sibuga, Sungai Manila, and Gum-Gum are also points of contention between GRS, Harapan, and BN - collectively dubbed the “sensitive four” - where PKR is expected to field candidates.

A similar scenario is unfolding in Merotai, where GRS leader Liew Yun Fah is also eyeing the seat, although it has reportedly been allocated to PKR.

PKR plans to field former senior civil servant Ruji Ubi there, but many believe Ruji lacks strong grassroots support.

“If Harapan’s allies keep announcing before the ink dries, they’ll end up clashing with GRS - even in seats meant to be shared,” the GRS source remarked. - Mkini