Sabah General Election Who Will Sabahans Find Appealling

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Election Commission workers making final preparations for the 17th Sabah General Election at the polling centre in SK Kunak 1 yesterday. NSTP PIC BY ASYRAF HAMZAHKOTA KINABALU: Two weeks of campaigning on the crowded battleground of the 17th Sabah General Election came to an end as the clock struck 11.59pm yesterday.
Today, some 1.78 million voters will head to the polling stations to decide Sabah's future in what is being touted as the most intense and unpredictable election.
With a record 596 candidates, including 74 independents, contesting 73 constituencies, the question remains: who will the voters — 960,000 of whom are below the age of 40 — choose?
What is clear is that the people of Sabah want political and economic stability, which they believe could address the fundamental issues long affecting the state, such as better road connectivity and infrastructure, as well as adequate water and electricity supply.
People in Sabah are exhausted in a state scarred by years of political turbulence and frequent changes in leadership. They are longing for a government that listens, implements reforms, and injects fresh energy into leadership.
They want a government that provides realistic solutions to their problems, not mere political rhetoric.
Although the race remained wide open up to yesterday, major political coalitions such as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), contesting 55 seats, are seen to have the upper hand in the crowded contest.
Led by caretaker chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, political observers say the six-party coalition and the policies it implemented while in power appeal to the people not only because they are Sabah-based, but also due to their non-confrontational approach with the federal government.
Observers added that the backing and cordial relationship between Hajiji and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has provided confidence among the people in the ongoing pursuit by the Sabah government for the state's rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including Sabah's quest for the 40 per cent revenue entitlement.
Hajiji and GRS' campaign, banking on its track record in boosting economic growth as well as his assurances to ensure political stability if the coalition is given a fresh mandate, resonated well among the people who want an end to endless politicking.
Ilham Centre said GRS still enjoys sufficient support to emerge as the party leading negotiations with local parties and independent candidates, potentially surpassing the simple majority needed to form the next government.
"GRS' real strength lies in its incumbent representatives and Hajiji's image, rather than the coalition's logo itself. In addition, GRS has successfully leveraged its resources to mobilise its machinery effectively and uniformly across all the state constituencies it is contesting.
"GRS ran a defensive yet well-organised campaign. Their campaign message was consistent, focusing on development continuity and stability. They emphasised Hajiji's image as 'steady and reliable'.
"Our study shows that Hajiji's popularity has helped boost GRS's chances of victory. GRS has been smart in using the advantage of incumbency to retain seats," said the centre in its report on voting patterns for the polls.
The report also stated that Parti Warisan, led by Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and contesting all seats in the election, may gain protest votes. The party could also benefit in constituencies experiencing multi-cornered contests.
The centre also said according to its preliminary study, 43 per cent of voters were undecided, with most belonging to the young voter category.
"In theory, if this group of young voters were to support any party or candidate en bloc, it could change the status quo in the state constituencies or even alter the state government.
"However, the findings from the final study confirm that the voting pattern of young voters is scattered. Sixteen per cent stated that they had not made a decision even on polling day. This indicates that there is no overwhelming wave sweeping through this segment.
"Some choose based on candidates' appearance, while others vote according to the preferences of their parents and friends. Interestingly, many in this segment are eager to vote simply to showcase their inked fingers on their social media accounts," said the report.
As Sabah heads to the polls, the behaviour of this group of voters adds another layer of uncertainty to what is already being described as the most complex and unpredictable election.
With a history of a hung Sabah Legislative Assembly in the last polls and no single political coalition able to form the next government, the question remains: will this election end with certainty, or with continued uncertainty? - NST

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