SEAT-sharing talks between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) have left two of PH’s Sabah partners, DAP and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), considering whether to contest the coming election under their own logos.
At the heart of the disquiet is the seat formula carved out between PH and its federal ally.
Under the pact, PH eyes to get 23 seats from partner GRS.
Of these, PKR would get 13, while DAP and Upko are left to share five seats each.
Amanah Sabah, despite having no incumbents, has also staked a claim for the five seats.
“DAP is left to share five seats with Upko, while Amanah is also asking for five, and PKR wants 13. That’s the problem,” a DAP insider said.
Another Upko source echoed the unease, pointing out that the grassroots were already restless.
“We are not rejecting the PH logo, but if the allocations are not fair, then we must consider other options,” the source said.
Both DAP and Upko won their seats in 2020 under the PH banner. But insiders now fear the current arrangement risks boxing them in, leaving little room to defend incumbencies or expand into winnable areas.
The situation has been further complicated by PH’s electoral cooperation with GRS.
The ruling coalition wants to contest 55 seats, leaving only 18 for PH under the broader pact.
With STAR and SAPP having walked out of GRS to go solo, the ground is shifting fast.
Their departure not only raises the risk of multi-cornered fights but also underscores how fragile coalition arithmetic has become.
It also points to the possibility that PH could obtain more than 23 seats. - October 6, 2025
