16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly

The 16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly was the term of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, the legislative branch of the Government of Sabah in Sabah, Malaysia. The 16th Assembly comprises 79 members, of whom 73 were elected in the 2020 Sabah State Election, and 6 were appointed by the Government. The term of the 16th Assembly began on 9 October 2020 and ended upon its dissolution on 6 October 2025 ahead of the next state election.

Background

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition won the election with a simple majority of 42 seats. The coalition consists of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GAGASAN) (26), Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR) (6), United Sabah Party (PBS) (7), United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) (0), Sabah People's Hope Party (PHRS) (1), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) (0), Love Sabah Party (PCS) (0) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) (1). GRS also has 1 direct member representatives from N.21 Limbahau. Hajiji Noor from GAGASAN-GRS was sworn in as Chief Minister 3 days later.

Officeholders

Speakership

• Speaker: Kadzim Yahya (non-MLA)
• Deputy Speaker: Al Hambra Juhar (non-MLA) Richard Yong Ke Wong (non-MLA)

Other parliamentary officers

• Secretary: Rafidah Maqbol Rahman
• Deputy Secretary: Jayreh Jaya
• Serjeants-at-Arms: Mohd Sabri Metan
• Deputy Serjeants-at-Arms: Mahar Rungkim

Party leaders

Government

• Leader of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and the component party, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GAGASAN): Hajiji Noor (Chief Minister & Sulaman MLA) Leader of the Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR): Jeffrey Kitingan (Deputy Chief Minister I & Tambunan MLA) Acting Leader of the United Sabah Party (PBS): Joachim Gunsalam (Deputy Chief Minister II & Kundasang MLA) Leader of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP): Yong Teck Lee (Nominated MLA)
• Leader of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) of Sabah and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) : Ewon Benedick (Kadamaian MLA) Leader of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) of Sabah: Phoong Jin Zhe (State Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship & Luyang MLA)
• Leader of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) of Sabah: Aliakbar Gulasan (Nominated MLA)

Opposition

• Leader of the Heritage Party (WARISAN) of Sabah: Shafie Apdal (Leader of the Opposition & Senallang MLA)
• Leader of the Barisan Nasional (BN) of Sabah and United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) of Sabah : Bung Moktar Radin (Lamag MLA)

Whips

• Government Whip: Yusof Yacob
• Opposition Whip:

Current composition

Changed Allegiance Seats Post 2020 Sabah State Election

Before 2022 Malaysian General Election

On 25 February 2021, Sebatik MLA Hassan A. Gani Pg. Amir left WARISAN and joined BERSATU on 6 April 2021.

On 10 March 2021, independent Pitas MLA Ruddy Awah joined BERSATU.

On 8 October 2021, Sindumin MLA Yusof Yacob left WARISAN and officially rejoined BN and UMNO on 22 May 2022 after leaving four years ago in 2018.

On 30 October 2021, Segama MLA Mohamaddin Ketapi left WARISAN and joined BERSATU on 26 November 2021. However, he left BERSATU on 28 June 2022. He then joined PBM on 28 August 2022 and left before later joined UMNO since 2023.

On 28 December 2021, Limbahau MLA Juil Nuatim and Melalap MLA Peter Anthony left WARISAN and founded a new local political party based in Sabah namely Social Democratic Harmony Party (KDM) that is aligned with the ruling GRS coalition on 28 January 2022. Juil left KDM on 21 May 2023.

On 20 January 2022, Elopura MLA Calvin Chong and Sri Tanjong MLA Justin Wong left DAP but carried on aligning themselves with the PH opposition coalition and officially joined WARISAN on 26 March 2022.

On 5 June 2022, Kukusan MLA Rina Jainal left WARISAN and joined PHRS on the same day.

On 21 October 2022, State Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister and Bandau MLA Wetrom Bahanda left BERSATU and joined KDM on the same day.

After 2022 Malaysian General Election

On 10 December 2022, The leadership of Bersatu Sabah announced its exit from the party and will form a new local party. Bersatu Sabah Chairman Hajiji Noor said the “unanimous decision” by Bersatu Sabah leaders to leave the party is based on the premise that the status quo is “no longer tenable”.

On 6 February 2023, Mohammad Mohamarin, Ben Chong Chen Bin and Norazlinah Arif left WARISAN on the same day and support the ruling GRS coalition.

On 21 February 2023, Yusof Yacob, along with other 8 MLAs support Hajiji. At the same time, Yusof Yacob, James Ratib, Jasnih Daya, Arshad Bistari, Hamid Awang, Mohammad Mohamarin, Ben Chong and Norazlinah joined GAGASAN.

On 27 February 2023, Awang Ahmad Sah Awang Sahari left WARISAN for GAGASAN.

On 4 March 2023, Karamunting MLA George Hiew Vun Zin left WARISAN for GAGASAN.

On 21 May 2023, Juil Nuatim resigned from KDM and joined GRS as a direct member two days later on 23 May 2023.

Seating plan

Notes