Sabah BN pokes holes in Ilham Centre poll, calls findings out of touch

SABAH Barisan Nasional has rebutted an Ilham Centre study which suggested the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition was in a strong position ahead of the state election, calling the findings out of touch with everyday realities.

Sabah BN Youth chief Sufian Abdul Karim said the survey “looked academic on paper” but failed to reflect the frustrations of ordinary voters.

“Sabahans are tired of an administration weighed down by corruption scandals, cronyism and policy failures.

“Charts and theories cannot hide the failures of a government that is more concerned about keeping its position than looking after the people,” he said.

Disputing Ilham’s reading of the ground

Ilham Centre, an independent research outfit, said earlier this week that GRS under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor appeared to enjoy consistent support across most of the state.

Its findings suggested voters were drawn to strong personalities and influential parties, with GRS seen as having the edge in Kadazandusun-Murut and Bumiputera-Muslim areas.

The study added that Warisan retained strong support on the east coast, while Barisan Nasional and Umno continued to struggle with grassroot divisions.

Young voters, it said, no longer regarded BN as the dominant force it once was.

But Sufian rejected the emphasis on personalities, calling it a shallow reading of Sabah politics.

“If personality alone was enough, Sabah would be prosperous today. The reality is people are struggling with rising living costs, a stagnant economy and a government mired in conflict and integrity issues,” he said.

Confidence in a ‘Blue Wave’

He insisted BN was not shaken by the study’s conclusions.

“History proves BN brings real development, not scandals,” Sufian said, adding that the coalition expected to show its strength when campaigning begins later this month.

“The people can see the difference between theories on paper and their lived experience. They now laugh at Ilham Centre’s report because they know the reality of their daily lives,” he added.

The Sabah state assembly’s term expires on 11 November, with an election required within 60 days unless dissolved earlier. - September 15, 2025