KOTA KINABALU, Oct. 17 -- The Election Commission's announcement of Sabah's 17th state election date has set the stage for a bruising contest, with cracks already showing in coalitions and loyalties being tested across the political divide.

Allies are turning wary of one another as differences come to light, particularly within the ruling six-party Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition and its federal partners in Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor recently said seat negotiations with PH had concluded, but added that voters would see the full picture come nomination day.

With alliances shifting and boundaries blurring, this could be Sabah's most fluid and unpredictable election yet.

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