Kota Kinabalu, Saturday, 19 April 2025:
Political theatrics over proposed alliances between UMNO (BN), PKR and DAP (PH) ahead of the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17) reveal a focus on Peninsular power plays rather than Sabah’s own interests.
UMNO and PKR are exploring cooperation between BN and PH, but DAP’s swift denial of any formal decision by PH due to its current cooperation with GRS, exposes their internal discord. Obviously, all of these Malaya parties are actively undermining Sabah sovereignty.
Of all Sabah-based parties, only PBRS (BN) and UPKO (PH) are currently part of these so‑called “national coalitions,” yet even UPKO, which holds the Sabah PH chairmanship, is reduced to a figurehead role, a embellishment exploited by Peninsular manipulators.
This marginalisation fuels Sabahan frustration, recalling PH’s 2023 withdrawal of the 40 % net‑revenue judicial review — a case of misplaced federal trust that produced no tangible gains.
Sabahans are now awakened and demanding homegrown leadership rooted in Sabah, committed to fully restoring the constitutional rights guaranteed under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Sarawak exemplifies how full autonomy thrives
Sarawak’s success outside any “national” political coalition demonstrates that true autonomy can be achieved even without political ties with any Malaya force. Today, Sarawak has built up its institutional capacity with its own commercial airline (AirBorneo), State-linked commercial bank (Affin Bank), dedicated coast guard, and robust state‑owned educational institutions such as I‑CATS University College, Kolej Laila Taib, University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University of Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, and the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak — proof that effective self‑governance is possible.
Malaya parties often swoop in to claim credit or siphon Sabah’s resources back to the Peninsula through various governmental channels. If Sabah’s autonomy can be so easily undermined today, a future state government shaped by Malayanisation threatens to erase its special status altogether.
Sabah must reject external interference in governance and unite behind genuine local parties with the integrity to defend Sabahan rights. Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga.
Thong Yong Hung
Secretary, Api‑Api Division Liaison Committee
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)
+60 16‑830 0194