PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to meet with Sabah PKR leaders today during his one-day working visit to the state, as preparations intensify ahead of the upcoming Sabah state election.
Anwar, who arrived in the state capital shortly after midnight, is scheduled to attend a political meeting with local PKR leaders at a hotel in Kota Kinabalu at 11am on Sunday.
The meeting is anticipated to focus on Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) strategy and coordination in facing the forthcoming state polls.
During a previous visit to Tawau in May, Anwar expressed hope that the next Sabah government would consist of a coalition between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), PH and Barisan Nasional (BN), mirroring the Unity Government at the federal level.
He also assured GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor that GRS would be given space to lead negotiations with BN.
Last week, Hajiji announced that GRS would work with PH in the election, but stressed that the local coalition must retain a dominant share of the 73 state assembly seats.
Meanwhile, UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said yesterday that BN intends to contest at least one state seat in each of Sabah’s 25 parliamentary constituencies.
Sabah PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud has indicated PH is eyeing between 25 and 26 state seats.
Currently, GRS holds 38 seats in the State Legislative Assembly, UMNO has 11, and PH controls seven.
Prior to the political meeting, the Prime Minister is also expected to officiate the closing of the three-day National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day 2025 celebrations at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) at 9am.
The ceremony is also expected to be attended by Chief Minister Hajiji and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. - August 3, 2025
