Sabah polls: Winners, losers, upsets and surprises

THE 17th Sabah State Election saw several prominent political figures lose their bids, while seasoned leaders maintained strongholds in key constituencies.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee and Warisan Wirawati chief Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis suffered defeats in Sugut and Usukan, respectively. Both had been serving as Members of Parliament for Beluran and Kota Belud.

DAP too faced a comprehensive defeat in Sabah, losing all eight seats it contested. Several of the party’s state leaders were decisively defeated by Warisan candidates.

Among those who fell were Sabah DAP chief Phoong Jin Zhe in Likas, Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin in Tanjung Aru, and Sandakan MP Vivian Wong in Elopura, all losing by significant margins.

In another notable upset, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate Tan Sri Anifah Aman, a former foreign minister, was defeated in Bongawan by Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Mohamad Alamin.

The outcome marked a dramatic reversal for Anifah, who had supported Alamin’s successful campaign for the Kimanis parliamentary seat in the 2020 by-election.

Despite these setbacks, the night highlighted successful campaigns by experienced politicians. Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman and caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, along with Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, retained their Sulaman and Lamag seats.

Former federal minister and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick also emerged victorious in Kadamaian, prevailing in a competitive eight-cornered race.

Upko had withdrawn from Pakatan Harapan just a week earlier, citing disagreements with coalition partners regarding Sabah’s autonomy.

Two former chief ministers, Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak lost in Usukan while Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, secured a win in Senallang.

Independent candidates, a distinctive feature of Sabah politics, also made significant impacts. In Pintasan, Datuk Fairuz Renddan, previously the Gagasan Rakyat Youth chief, defeated former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, who had contested under the GRS banner.

Notably, Fairuz had beaten Pandikar in the 2020 election, but the latter was chosen to represent GRS this time.

Meanwhile, former Warisan representatives Datuk Rinal Jainal and Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari successfully defended their Kukusan and Petagas constituencies.

In Petagas, Awang Ahmad narrowly defeated his brother, Awang Husaini Sahari, who stood for Pakatan Harapan. – November 30, 2025