(LIVE UPDATES) SABAH DECIDES 2025: GRS emerges front-runner in official EC count

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KOTA KINABALU (Nov 29): After 14 days of intense campaigning, Sabahans will finally go to the polls today to cast their ballots to determine the new state government.

A total of 596 candidates will be vying for 73 seats.

There are 1.76 million voters eligible to cast their ballots in the polls and the Election Commission (EC) expects a voter turnout of more than 60 per cent.

Here are the live updates:

3.05am: The swearing-in ceremony for Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor begins. – Bernama

2.05am: Official: GRS won 29 seats, Warisan 25, BN 6, Independents 5, UPKO 3, STARSabah 2, PN, KDM and PH one each – EC Chairman

EC Chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun (centre) announcing the Sabah election results. – Bernama photo

2am: GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to issue statement after returning from Istana Seri Kinabalu.

1.50am: The swearing-in ceremony for the Sabah Chief Minister is believed to be taking place shortly at Istana Seri Kinabalu, not far from the Chief Minister’s official residence in Sri Gaya.

View at Istana Seri Kinabalu at 1.50am. – Bernama photo

10.46pm: Unofficial: Warisan’s Edna Jessica Majimbun wins Inanam.

10.45pm: Unofficial: Warisan’s Azhar Matussin wins Darau.

10.35pm: Unofficial: GRS leads with 29 seats, followed by Warisan (18), BN (9), Upko (2), IND (5), STARSabah (2), PH (2), PN (1), KDM (1). A simple majority to form the state government is 37 seats. – Bernama

10.28pm: OFFICIAL: PH’s Datuk Jamawi Jaafar wins Melalap seat.

10.22pm: OFFICIAL: Incumbent Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun of GRS secured the Karanaan seat.

10.14pm: Unofficial: PN’s Datuk Dr. Aliakbar Gulasan wins Karambunai.

10.03pm: Unofficial: KDM acting president Priscella Peter fails to defend her father’s seat, Malalap.

9.59pm: PKR central election committee operations director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari is holding discussions with GRS chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor regarding the formation of the Sabah government – PKR secretary-general – Bernama

9.55pm: Unofficial: GRS leads with 29 seats, followed by Warisan (15), BN (9), Upko (1), IND (4), STARSabah (1), PH (2). – Bernama

9.44pm: Unofficial: Warisan’s Sarifuddin Hata wins Merotai. – Bernama

9.41pm: Unofficial: Independent Dr Maijol Mahap wins Bandau. – Bernama

9.35pm: Unofficial: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) wins 26 seats, followed by Warisan (13), BN (9), Upko (1), Independent (4), STARSabah (1), Pakatan Harapan (2). – Bernama

9.30pm: Unofficial: Warisan’s Dr Jaujan Sambakong wins Sulabayan. – Bernama

9.28pm: Unoficial: Independent Fairuz Renddan wins Pintasan. – Bernama

9.22pm: Unofficial: GRS’ Hendrus Anding wins Tandek. – Bernama

9.21pm: Unofficial: GRS leads with 24, followed by Warisan (13), BN (5), IND (3), Upko (1).

9.19pm: Unofficial: Independent Rina Jainal wins Kukusan. – Bernama

9.18pm: Unofficial: Independent Awang Ahmad Sah wins Petagas. – Bernama

9.15pm: Unofficial: STARSabah president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan wins Tambunan. – Bernama

9.13pm: Unofficial: GRS’ Ruslan Muharam wins Lumadan. – Bernama

9.11pm: Unofficial: Warisan’s Mohammad Yusof Apdal wins Silam. – Bernama

9.10pm: Unofficial: PH’s Yamani Hafez Musa wins Sindumin. – Bernama

9.09pm: Unofficial: GRS leads with 23 seats, followed by Warisan (11), BN (4), IND (2), Upko (1)

9.08pm: Unofficial: PH’s Jamawi Ja’afar wins Melalap. – Bernama

9.06pm: Unofficial: Party chiefs Datuk Peri Panglima Hajiji Noor, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Datuk Ewon Benedick, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G Kitingan and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal win in the seats they contested.

8.50pm: Unofficial: GRS wins 22 seats, followed by Warisan 11, BN 9, Upko 1 and Independent 2. – Bernama

8.51pm: Unofficial: GRS leads with 22 seats, followed by Warisan (11), BN (4), IND (2), Upko (1)

8.40pm: Unofficial: GRS leads with 21 seats, followed by Warisan (11), BN (4), IND (2), Upko (1)

8.40pm: DAP loses all eight seats it contested in the 17th Sabah state election, says secretary-general Anthony Loke. – Bernama

8.36pm: Unofficial: GRS wins 21 seats, Warisan 11, BN 4, Upko 1 – Bernama

8.33pm: Unofficial: Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak’s Maulana Unding loses in Bugaya.

8.21pm: Unofficial: GRS wins Limbahau, Kawang, Pantai Manis – GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. – Bernama

8.20pm: Unofficial: BN wins in Lamag, Sukau, Kunak, Bengkoka, Sekong, Usukan, Sungai Sibuga, Sook so far. – Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. – Bernama

8.08pm: Unofficial: PN Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee loses in Sugut. – FMT

8.04pm: Unofficial: DAP Sabah chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe loses in Likas.

7.48pm: Unofficial: GRS’ Samad Jambri wins Labuk. – Bernama

7.45pm: Unofficial: GRS’s Syed Ahmad Syed Abas wins Balung. – Bernama

7.44pm: Unofficial: BN’s Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup wins Sook. – Bernama

7.42pm: Unofficial: BN’s Datuk Mohamad Alamin wins Bongawan. – Bernama

7.26pm: Unofficial: Warisan’s Tham Yun Fook wins Likas. – Bernama

7.25pm: Unofficial: BN’s Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak wins Usukan. – Bernama

7.24pm: Unofficial: GRS’ Japar Awang wins Labuk. – Bernama

7.23pm: Warisan’s Thien Ching Qiang wins Tanjong Papat. – Bernama

7.21pm: Unofficial: Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick wins Kadamaian. – Bernama

7.12pm: Unofficial: BN’s Mohd Zharif Aizat wins Sekong. – Bernama

7.10pm: Unofficial: BN’s Anil Jeet Singh wins Kunak. – Bernama

7.09pm: Unofficial: GRS’ Jonnybone J Kurum wins Telupid. – Bernama

7.07pm: Unofficial: GRS’s James Ratib wins Sugut. – Bernama

7.06pm: Unofficial: BN’s Zaini Tiksun wins in Sungai Manila. – Bernama

7.04pm: Unofficial: GRS’s Rubin Balang wins Kemabong. – Bernama

7.03pm: Unofficial: GRS’ Dr Mohd Arifin wins Membakut. – Bernama

7.02pm: Unofficial: GRS’ Mohammad Mohamarin wins Banggi. – Bernama

Unofficial results as of 7pm: GRS wins 21 seats, Warisan 11 and BN 3. – Bernama

6.59pm: Unofficial: Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal wins Senallang. – Bernama

6.57pm: Unofficial: Warisan’s Jamil Hamzah wins Bugaya. – Bernama

6.53pm: Unofficial: GRS’s Masiung Banah wins Kuamut. – Bernama

6.50pm: Unofficial: GRS’ Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan wins Apas. – Bernama

6.49pm: Unofficial: GRS’ Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun wins Karanaan. – Bernama

6.47pm: Unofficial: GRS chairman and caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor wins Sulaman. – Bernama

6.44pm: Unofficial: BN’s Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin wins Lamag – Bernama

6.30pm: Unofficial results from GRS ground sources show the coalition has won eight seats, including a victory for Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s son Hazem Mubarak Musa in Sungai Manila.

Other winning candidates are Sabah caretaker chief minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in Sulaman, Usno president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin in Pintasan, Datuk Mohammad Mohamarin in Banggi, Datuk Ariffin Arif in Membakut, PBS president Datuk Joachim Gunsalam in Kundasang, Datuk Rubin Balang in Kemabong, and Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan in Apas. Except for Hazem and Pandikar, all others are incumbents. – Malay Mail

EC staff counting votes for Kapayan and Moyog constituencies at the Penampang Cultural Centre. – Photo by Roystein Emmor

6.05pm: Unofficial: GRS’ Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia wins in Pintasan. – Malay Mail

6pm: Unofficial: GRS, PH in neck-and-neck lead for Kemabong. – Malay Mail

5.44pm: Counting of votes has started at the Penampang Cultural Centre for the Kapayan and Moyog seats.

An Election Commission worker closes the gate at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sembulan in Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, after the polling centre closed at 5.30pm. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad

5.30pm: All 882 polling centres across Sabah have officially closed.

4.30pm: One more hour to go before polling centres across Sabah close in the state election.

4pm: The Election Commission said voter turnout has reached 60.94 per cent, or 1.06 million voters.

3pm: The Election Commission said a total of 989,551 or 56.78 per cent of registered voters in Sabah have cast their ballots.

EC workers transport the ballot box from Pulau Sepanggar by boat to Sabah Parks Jetty, en route to the vote tallying centre. – Bernama photo

2pm: The Sekolah Kebangsaan Pulau Sepanggar polling centre closed at 2pm.

2pm: The Election Commission said a total of 892,174 or 51.19 per cent of registered voters in Sabah have cast their ballots.

1.51pm: SK Salilirin, SK Mamagun polling centres in Nabawan closed at 12 noon, ballot boxes taken to Nabawan District Council Multi-Purpose Hall. – Bernama

1.49pm: Ballot boxes from SK Pulau Denawan were taken to the Official Vote Counting Centre at Semporna Community Arena Hall by helicopter. – Bernama

1.34pm: The Election Commission (EC) said 686,216 voters (39.37 per cent) have cast their votes as of 12 noon. There are 1.76 million voters eligible to cast their ballots in the polls and the EC expects a voter turnout of more than 60 per cent.

Armizan casts his vote at SMK Pengalat.

1.10pm: Papar MP and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali cast his vote at SMK Pengalat at 1.10pm.

1pm: According to the Election Commission, a total of 793,083 or 45.5 per cent of registered voters in Sabah have cast their ballots. There are 1.76 million voters eligible to cast their ballots in the polls and the Election Commission (EC) expects a voter turnout of more than 60 per cent.

Anifah votes at SMK Bongawan.

12.42pm: GRS’ candidate for Bongawan Tan Sri Anifah Aman cast his vote at SMK Bongawan at 12.42pm. The Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) president is in a nine-corner fight for the constituency, which has 24,019 registered voters.

12pm: Election Commission chief Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun says voter turnout as of 11am stood at 31.3 per cent. This is slightly below the 32 per cent recorded in 2020.

Joniston and Lucy vote at SK Malangang.

11.40am: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah candidate Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and his wife Datuk Lucy Irene Yong vote at SK Malangang Baru, Kiulu. Joniston has been the area’s assemblyman since 2013.

A total of eight candidates are battling for the votes of Kiulu’s 17,191 registered voters.

Hajiji (centre) and Juliah (left) cast their votes at SK Serusup in Tuaran.

11.30pm: Caretaker Chief Minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Panglima Juliah Salag arrived at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Serusup to cast their votes.

11.25am: The media awaits the arrival of GRS chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor at SK Serusup, a polling centre for Sulaman.

Hajiji has held the state seat for eight terms. He was first elected as the assemblyman for Sulaman in 1990 and has successfully defended the seat in every subsequent state election.

Phoong (left) and Chan show their indelible ink-stained fingers after voting. — Photo by Lester J Bingkasan

11.20am: Pakatan Harapan Likas candidate Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe casts his vote at the Kota Kinabalu High School.

The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sabah chairman was accompanied by PH Luyang candidate Chan Loong Wei.

When asked if PH could retain both the Luyang and Likas DUN seats, Phoong said the party is confident of a positive result based on its track record.

Zaini arrives at the SMK Libaran polling centre to fulfil his responsibility as a voter.

10.50pm: Barisan Nasional (BN) first-time candidate in the 17th Sabah State Election Zaini Tiksun fulfilled his responsibility as a voter today.

Zaini, who is contesting the Sungai Manila state seat, arrived accompanied by his wife, Sharifah Aniefah Mohamad, to cast his vote at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Libaran.

Zaini faces a six-cornered contest in the Sungai Manila constituency, which has 18,217 registered voters.

As a native of Sungai Manila, Zaini carries the challenge of defending the BN seat previously won by Datuk Mokran Ingkat with a majority of 1,417 votes.

Jeremy and Sheila are assisted by an election worker. — Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad

10.50am: Jeremy Raymond Su Kok Yung, 33, who has cerebral palsy, votes at SJK (C) Chung Hwa Tamparulli in Kampung Mengkaladoi with his sister Sheila Mae Su, 30. This is Jeremy’s second time voting after the general election in 2022.

Fauziah is an 11-cornered race for the seat of Bengkoka. — Photo by Mariah Doksil

10.30am: Fauziah Mohd Fuad Stephens, Warisan’s candidate for N2 Bengkoka, casts her vote at SK Pekan Pitas.

She hopes that voters will come out to vote despite the rather cloudy weather and the forecast of rain in the afternoon. The polling centres in Bengkoka will close at 5.30pm. There are 18,056 voters in the constituency.

10.02am: Scene from outside polling centre in Likas for the Darau seat.

Masiung casts his vote at SK Penangah.

10am: GRS’ candidate for the Kuamut seat Datuk Masiung Banah cast his vote at SK Penangah. Masiung, who won the seat as an independent in the 2020 state election, is in an eight-corner fight.

Jahid speaks to reporters after casting his vote. — Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad

10am: Former Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Seri Jahid Jahim and his wife Datin Seri Mulianah Ugau cast their votes at SJK(C) Chung Hwa Tamparuli. Jahid, who is not defending the seat, hopes whoever his successor is will fulfil the promises made on the campaign trail.

10am: The Election Commission has announced that as of 9am today, 176,756 Sabahans have cast their votes – a voter turnout of 10.14 per cent.

Peto votes at SK Kokol.

9.36am: N18 Inanam incumbent Datuk Peto Galim casts his vote at SK Kokol. Peto, who is the Pakatan Harapan candidate, is in a 13-cornered fight for the seat.

During the 2020 polls, Peto received 8,586 votes to win by a 5,638-vote majority against nine other candidates.

This is the first time Mohammad Firdaus is contesting in an election.

9.30am: Warisan’s Tg Keramat candidate Mohammad Firdaus Diun votes at SMK Putatan. The first time candidate admitted he had a sleepless night last night. The constituency is an 11-cornered contest for the votes of 26,113 voters.

Dayangku Normah (second left) arrived to vote at 7.15am. — Photo by Jenne Lajiun

9.16am: Dayangku Normah Pgn Awang Besar, 69, was eager to cast her vote at the SMK Putatan polling station. She was one of the earliest to arrive at 7.15am.

Jannie poses for the media before putting her ballot paper into the box. — Photo by Nancy Lai

9.13am: PH’s Kapayan candidate Datuk Jannie Lasimbang casts her vote at SJK(C) Yue Min. She is the incumbent for the constituency and first won the seat in 2018.

It’s slow going heading towards SK Kionsom in Inanam. — Photo by Lester J Bingkasan

9.13am: There’s traffic congestion due to vehicles parked along both sides of the road heading towards the SK Kionsom polling centre in Inanam. The situation has been compounded by light rain, slowing the movement of voters heading to cast their votes for the constituency.

Edna votes at SK Pemotodon. — Photo by Nancy Lai

9.10am: Edna Majimbun, Warisan’s candidate for N18 Inanam casts her vote at SK Pemotodon. The constituency is a crowded 13-cornered contest.

There are 45,525 registered voters in the area.

A cheerful Wong proudly shows he has fulfilled his responsibility as a Sabahan. — Photo by Nancy Lai

8.58am: Terrence Wong, 47, who cast his vote at SJK(C) Yue Min today, called on Sabahans to come out and exercise their rights as they will be the ones to determine Sabah’s future for the next five years.

“I hope that the next state government will fulfil its promises to the rakyat,” he added.

Shafie poses for the media after voting.

8.45am: Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal cast his vote at SK Bubul in Semporna. Shafie is defending his seat of Senallang.

“Today, I had the opportunity to fulfil my responsibility and right as a Malaysian in Sabah by going out to vote at the SK Bubul polling centre,” said Shafie told reporters.

“I hope that the election process this time will proceed in accordance with the law. What is important is that we encourage as many voters as possible, whether they live near or far, to carry out their responsibility by coming out to vote, because this is important for us, the space and opportunity given for us to exercise our rights as voters. What we decide today will certainly determine the future of Sabah and the children of Sabah.”

There are 20,763 voters in the constituency.

Billy greets election workers at the polling station. — Photo by Nancy Lai

8.40am: Upko’s candidate for N25 Kapayan Billy Joe Dominic arrives at SJK(C) Yue Min. The seat is a crowded 13-cornered fight.

Nur Wandha is voting for the first time in this election. — Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad

8.36am: Nur Wandha Waryzea 19, was among the enthusiastic young voters at SJK Chung Hwa Tamparulli, which is a polling centre for N14 Tamparuli. Nur Wandha, who voted for the first time, admitted she was a bit nervous and scared.

Peter did not let the wet weather stop him from fulfilling his responsibility. — Photo by Nancy Lai

8.30am: Peter Disimond, 89, was among the earliest voters at SJK(C) Yue Min, a polling centre for N25 Kapayan. The spirited senior was assisted by a team of volunteers at the polling centre.

Liew and his wife casts their votes at St Michael Secondary School, Sandakan.

8am:SAPP’s candidate for the Tanjong Papat state seat, Henley Liew Yun Ye, and his wife arrived at the polling centre at St Michael Secondary School, Sandakan, to cast their votes.

Lee and Kong show the indelible ink on their fingers after voting.

8am: Barisan Nasional candidate for DUN N04 Tanjong Kapor Kevin Lee Sip Kim cast his vote together with his wife Kong Lee Ken at SK St Peter in Kudat. Lee is in an 11-cornered fight for the seat.

There are 34,001 voters in the constituency.

Arthur cast his ballot at SK Pekan Ansip.

7.32am: One of the earliest candidates to vote is Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup at the SK Pekan Ansip Sook.

Arthur, the Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president, is contesting in N45 Sook under the Barisan Nasional (BN) banner.

7.30am: Polling has begun at 882 polling centres across Sabah.

7.20am: The team of volunteers at SJK (C) Yue Min Penampang in high spirits despite the wet morning. SJK(C) Yue Min is one of the polling centres for N25 Kapayan.