PETALING JAYA: Despite its recent electoral setback, Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) chief Mustapha Sakmud believes the coalition and PKR will continue to be a significant force in the state, given their relevance in the national political landscape.
In an interview with FMT, Mustapha pointed to the fact that the federal government in Putrajaya is led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the PKR president and PH chairman — a factor he said underscores their continued importance in the state.
“Although local parties may enjoy stronger support in Sabah, from a national perspective, we remain highly relevant,” said Mustapha, the Sepanggar MP and Sabah PKR chief.
He stressed that PH’s preparations for the 16th general election (GE16) will focus on strengthening collaboration with both local and national allies.
“We hope cooperation with other parties continues to grow. What matters is how we work together for the benefit of the people of Sabah,” he said.
Mustapha acknowledged the “challenge” of defending PH’s three parliamentary seats — Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan — amid a shifting local political landscape.
He said Sabah PH has already begun identifying potential candidates and formulating strategies to ensure the three constituencies remain under its control.
DAP’s Chan Foong Hin currently holds Kota Kinabalu, while his party colleague, Vivian Wong, represents Sandakan.
However, the coalition faced a serious setback in last November’s state election, winning only one of the 22 seats it contested.
DAP lost all eight seats it contested. It surrendered Luyang, Api-Api and Likas — all located within the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary constituency — to Warisan, which also took Darau and Inanam, both in Sepanggar.
The party failed to retain Karambunai, also in Sepanggar, which fell to Perikatan Nasional.
Warisan also took control of two state seats in Sandakan — Elopura and Tanjong Papat.
