PAKATAN Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is trying to keep the peace in Sabah, caught in what local political observers have cheekily dubbed a “love triangle” between PH, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Speaking after the Sabah PKR leadership meeting on Sunday, Anwar admitted that the coming 17th state election is a balancing act — one that demands compromise rather than confrontation.
“Our understanding is that, for now, we are trying to secure an arrangement where there is no three-cornered fight,” he said.
PH is formally aligned with BN but also maintains a separate working arrangement with GRS under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The fragile arrangement was forged after the January 2023 fallout between Sabah BN and GRS - which has never fully healed.
Anwar conceded that some constituencies remain contentious, and he can only push for understanding between the two allies to prevent overlapping candidates.
“I don’t want to pre-empt that because our intention is to ensure full understanding. However, I am sure there are some areas where there will be conflicts,” he said.
The prime minister said avoiding three-cornered contests was critical, as government-aligned parties fighting each other could split their vote base and confuse voters, weakening the state administration’s position.
“Our intention is to make sure that, if necessary, we secure some sort of understanding,” he said.
“Of course, that is the priority. But in politics, the odds are sometimes possible, and sometimes impossible.” - August 3, 2025
