A wave of rejection towards peninsula-based parties saw Sabahans favouring local blocs in the regional election yesterday, where incumbent Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) cemented its hold on the land below the wind.

The “Sabah first” clarion call saw parties such as DAP and PKR of Pakatan Harapan, as well as Bersatu and PAS of Perikatan Nasional, which hold significant political territory in Peninsular Malaysia, being wiped out or losing in most of their contests.

These parties lost to...