TAWAU — The opening week of campaigning for Sabah’s 17th state election indicates that voter sentiment is shifting toward assessing the personal qualifications of candidates rather than relying solely on party affiliation.
Field observations show several candidates opting to run independently after leaving their parties to protect their voter base, should their party fail to gain traction in the constituency.
This reflects precedents such as Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah, who secured victory previously despite switching political camps.
In East Coast constituencies like Tawau, Lahad Datu and Kinabatangan, voters express stronger interest in candidates who can address long-standing issues — water disruptions, unstable electricity, flooding and road conditions — rather than political coalition narratives.
The GRS–PH–BN cooperation has reshaped the political map, but overlapping seats continue to create mixed reactions among voters.