{
  "id": 1828310,
  "title": "Abandoning GRS a high-risk move for KDM, say analysts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/abandoning-grs-a-high-risk-move-for-kdm-say-analysts",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T23:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/19/abandoning-grs-a-high-risk-move-for-kdm-say-analysts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Analysts warn that withdrawing support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) may be a high-risk move for Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM). While it could provide KDM with more flexibility in future elections, they warn that the party will lose the benefits of being a partner in the government. With only one parliamentary and one state seat, KDM has little political leverage, especially as the next general election approaches. Analysts say that GRS's six component parties will be competing for 25 Sabah parliamentary seats, with a particularly intense contest in Kadazandusun Murut constituencies, where KDM is also aiming. KDM, led by Priscella Peter, is currently in talks to form an alliance with Warisan and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) for GE16. However, KDM’s secretary-general, Armizan Mohd Ali, stated that Rusdin Riman, KDM's sole assemblyman, has decided to continue backing the state government despite KDM's decision to withdraw its support. Analysts predict that KDM's decision to back out of the coalition will lead to public embarrassment, internal friction, and political marginalization. They suggest that KDM's only viable survival mechanism is through multi-party seat sharing agreements.",
  "summary": "Seen as a ‘junior partner’ with little leverage, pundits say the party is at the bottom of the GE16 seat-distribution priority list.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Abandoning GRS a high-risk move for KDM, say analysts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/abandoning-grs-a-high-risk-move-for-kdm-say-analysts-1830920",
        "published": "2026-08-18T23:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}