GABUNGAN Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has successfully formed the new Sabah government after securing a simple majority with the backing of its coalition partners and several victorious Independent candidates in the 17th general election.
GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the coalition moved swiftly to consolidate support following the announcement of results, with GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor taking his oath of office early this morning.
“Hajiji was sworn in in the presence of state assembly members who have declared their support for the formation of the new state government,” he said in a Facebook post.
“Insya-Allah, GRS together with our partner parties and all Independent assemblymen—who were previously aligned with GRS either as ADUNs or party leaders before the dissolution—will immediately begin fulfilling the mandate entrusted to us by the people of Sabah.”
Hajiji, 70, was sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister of Sabah before Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman at Istana Seri Kinabalu at about 3am.
The election results saw GRS emerge as the largest bloc with 29 out of 73 state seats. It was followed by Parti Warisan with 25 seats, Barisan Nasional with six, Independents with five, Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu (UPKO) with three, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) with two, while Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) each secured one seat.
A simple majority in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly requires 37 seats, a threshold GRS surpassed through combined support from its allies and the Independents.
The formation of the government marks Hajiji’s return for a second term, with the coalition now expected to begin negotiations on cabinet appointments and outline its priorities for the new administration. - November 30, 2025
