SABAH Pakatan Harapan (PH) has moved early to lock in its female candidates for the state election, unveiling a “6-3-3” combination - six from DAP, three from PKR and three from Upko.
Sabah PH women chief Jannie Lasimbang, also DAP Sabah vice-chairman, said the line-up was built through two years of preparation, mentoring and ground programmes to ensure, in her words, that women are “ready when opportunities come.”
“DAP fielded 50% women candidates in PRU15 in 2022, so we had an early start. PKR named 3 potential candidates, Upko proposed three names, while DAP named six.”
“So it’s six, three, three,” she said.
Lasimbang’s statement came at a time when PH has not finalised its candidates list and last night the alliance’s election director for Sabah, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution announced there are still overlaps on its sea sharing with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Barisan Nasional as the parties head into the Sabah election.
By fielding them in strategically chosen seats, Lasimbang believes PH can both honour its 30% commitment and strengthen its chances of forming the next government alongside Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
“We started our jelajah PH, and identified those who had been working and in which seat because there’s no point when the party says we want to field 30% women but nobody is suitable,” said Lasimbang who is a former human rights commissioner and long-time women’s rights advocate.
Lasimbang entered politics after decades of grassroots activism and now serves as Sabah PH Women’s chief and DAP Sabah vice-chairman.
Each of the 12 women, she stressed, has been vetted and tested through ground preparations.
Lasimbang argued that women leaders bring a different focus to politics - one that connects more directly with families and communities.
“Women look at policy differently. They talk about family, community, welbeing, and sustainability, not just contracts or mega projects.
“And in the state assembly, they ask different questions — about education and health, about housing, about safety. These are not side issues. They are central to people’s lives.”
“Too often, women candidates are sacrificed when seat talks get tough. That’s why we prepared early — organising ourselves, perfected our Iltizam Wanita or Sabah Women’s Manifesto and made it known to our party leaders,” added Lasimbang, who is aware that the official candidates list of the coalitions is yet to be released. - October 10, 2025
