Barisan Nasional suffered major setbacks in the Sabah state election yesterday, losing several of its long-held seats.
The poll results showed that only one top Sabah Umno leader won, namely Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin in Lamag.
Former chief minister Salleh Said Keruak was defeated in Usukan, while other leaders like Sabah Umno information chief Suhaimi Nasir and election director Jeffrey Nor Mohamed lost in Sungai Sibuga and Tanjung Keramat, respectively.
Besides the traditional seats of Usukan and Sungai Sibuga, BN also lost strongholds like Tempasuk, Sugut, Balung and Tanjung Batu.
BN’s foothold in Sabah has weakened over the past decade, with the coalition winning fewer and fewer parliamentary and state seats in recent years, especially after the departure of key local leaders and component parties, like Upko and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).
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