Abstract

This seminar provides an overview of political developments in Sabah, Malaysia, as it heads towards state election this year.  Sabah state politics has a unique history and features that make it particularly volatile and complex.  Given the increasingly tenuous political alignments at the national level, events in Sabah can have significant implications for the stability of the federal government.

This seminar will examine the following issues:

1. Current political situation in Sabah and the recent events
2. Sabah political players and parties
3. Public opinion and the 2020 state election
4. The upcoming state election: issues and potential outcomes
5. Implications for Sabah and Malaysia e.g. state and national coalitions and demands for decentralisation and federalism

About the Speaker

Hisommudin Bakar serves as the Executive Director of ILHAM Centre, a Malaysian research organisation focused on Malaysian politics, electoral behaviour, and public opinion.  He has led impactful political analysis and social research work at ILHAM that has informed policymakers, academia, media and the public.

He has spearheaded numerous projects, including analyses of electoral trends, voter behaviour, and key political events like the 2020 Sabah state election. His work combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to uncover insights on the dynamics of Malaysian society.  He has a Bachelor of Arts, Shariah and Islamic Political Science degree from Universiti Malaya, and a Master of Philosophy, Strategic and Security Studies degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.