KOTA KINABALU, Nov. 16 -- As campaigning kicks off for the Sabah state election, "family" bonds are being tested on two fronts.

On one end, allies in government coalitions are competing against each other despite cooperation agreements aimed at forming the next government together.

PKR vice-president Datuk RRamanan downplayed the overlaps, calling them "friendly contests" and likening them to disagreements within a household.

On the other hand, there are contests between literalfamily members - siblings, cousins, parents and children going head-to-head in multi-cornered fights across Sabah's constituencies.

'Friendly' fire among political allies

Despite the federal-level pact between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), an...