PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has characterised this Saturday's by-election for Sandakan as a battleground between Pakatan Harapan and the Umno-PAS pact.

"What is PBS? This is a battleground between Pakatan Harapan and BN, the main parties being Umno and PAS," Anwar told a ceramah crowd in Bandar Prima on Tuesday night.

"You in Sandakan have to decide whether you want this country to take care of the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans and Kadazans, or just the Malays only."

Anwar also pointed out that the Harapan government aims to implement needs-based policies regardless of race.