PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA, December 3, 2025 – Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, expressed gratitude after Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) successfully retained power in Sabah despite failing to secure a simple majority in the recently concluded Sabah State Election.
In a Facebook post on last Tuesday, Armizan, who is also the Member of Parliament for Papar, said he finally had the chance to relax and go for a jog after “sweating it out” throughout the intensely challenging Sabah state election campaign.
“Alhamdulillah, I managed to go jogging tonight to sweat it out after so long sweating on the Sabah state election battlefield,” he wrote, adding that he is scheduled for his annual medical check-up at Parliament tomorrow – the final day for MPs who have yet to complete it.
New political landscape must be accepted
Armizan stressed that GRS’s inability to win a simple majority is not a failure but rather a reflection of the new political landscape in Malaysia that must be accepted with an open heart.
“This was the first time the GRS logo was used in a state election. What we hoped for may not have been fully achieved, but gratitude must still be there because the people have placed their trust in GRS,” he said.
He added that post-election coalitions to form a government are a reality of democracy worldwide, especially in Sabah, which has a diverse range of parties and a large number of candidates contesting each state seat.
“This cooperation does not mean it was formed to face the next election. When the next state election comes, the arena will open again – every party will compete against each other once more,” he explained.
Hopes for the new Sabah ministers
Armizan also expressed confidence in the three newly appointed Sabah ministers in the federal Cabinet – Datuk Ewon Benedick, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, and Datuk Jamawi Jaafar – to bring fresh energy and a more dynamic approach.
“Let us remind each other that every party represented will continue to face the people – not just after five years, but scrutiny will begin within the first one or two years,” he emphasised.
Strategic communication is key to government success
In a firm tone, Armizan highlighted the critical importance of strategic communication by political leaders in the state government.
“No previous government has been able to fulfil every single aspiration of the people. But what matters is our ability to deliver meaningful and valuable progress,” he said.
He urged the government to proactively inform the public about its achievements and not wait until the last moment, allowing the opposition to dominate the narrative.
“We cannot rely solely on civil servants to handle communication work. Communication is not their core business. The role of politicians in the administration is to provide leadership,” Armizan asserted.
He concluded his post with the slogan: “Sabah First, Sabah Forward, Sabah Prosper, Sabah United.”
