Sabah PAS at a crossroads as state polls near

The Star

15-06-2025

SANDAKAN: As Sabah gears up for its 17th state election, Sabah PAS finds itself at a political crossroads – a Perikatan Nasional component party in the Opposition at federal level, yet friendly with the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition.
However, Sabah PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Aliakbar Gulasan stressed that the party's political direction remains with Perikatan.
'As of now, I feel I'm still among those who are friendly with GRS because it is part of the government, and that's based on the political history that began in 2020.
"As for what will happen in the state election, if I look at the other parties, none of them have made a decision either.
ALSO READ: Sabah PAS yet to finalise under which party logo to contest
'Everyone is still looking for friends, coalitions, and so on. In the context of Sabah, I think what's clear is that PAS remains within Perikatan. So any discussions are still centred on Perikatan,' he said after officiating the Karnival Keluarga Sandakan 2025 here on Saturday (June 14).
Last month, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party aimed to contest at least six seats in Sabah, possibly under a different logo as part of a broader coalition strategy.
Aliakbar, however, said no specific number of seats has been decided, and the party has yet to begin formal negotiations with any potential allies.
'For now, we are focused on strengthening our organisation within Perikatan,' he said.
He also cautioned politicians against fanning regional sentiments ahead of the polls, warning that such rhetoric could threaten national unity.
ALSO READ: Sabah PAS 'comfortable' with GRS, says state commissioner
'Sometimes, before elections, we act like there's a separation between the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak. If we keep stirring that, it could lead to bigger conflicts or long-term segregation,' he said.
On candidates, Aliakbar said PAS intends to field credible and honest individuals with strong religious grounding and a clear understanding of the responsibility of leadership.
'If politicians don't understand the concept of sin and reward, they could fall into corruption or abuse of power,' he said.
Although PAS has yet to win a seat in Sabah, the party will continue its community outreach and leave it to the public to evaluate its performance, Aliakbar said.
His appointment as the first PAS-nominated assemblyman in Sabah in 2020 drew criticism from some state leaders and civil society groups, who viewed the party as too extreme for Sabah's multireligious and culturally diverse landscape.
ALSO READ: Sabah PAS invites non-Muslims to join as associate members
While concerns were raised about the potential impact on social harmony, PAS leaders sought to downplay the backlash, stressing that their priority in Sabah was service and inclusivity.
Despite the early controversy, Aliakbar has remained the party's sole nominated assemblyman and continues to openly support the GRS-led state government.
PAS became part of the Sabah government following the 2020 state election, when Perikatan aligned with GRS and Barisan Nasional to form the state administration after defeating Parti Warisan.
In 2022, following the 15th General Election, Perikatan became the federal Opposition.
Its position in Sabah also shifted after Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and several state leaders left Bersatu.