Kota Kinabalu: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has announced it will not contest any state assembly seats in the upcoming Sabah state election, choosing instead to fully support Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to ensure political stability and sustainable economic growth.
LDP President Datuk Chin Su Phin said the decision followed careful consideration of the current domestic and global political and economic climate.
“Frequent changes of government do not necessarily lead to better governance or economic prosperity. Political instability can erode investor confidence and hinder development,” he said.
Chin noted that Sabah’s economy has shown signs of recovery and social stability has improved since the formation of the “Langkah Kinabalu” coalition, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) continues to lead the Federal Government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Citing Sarawak as an example, he said strong parliamentary representation has enabled the state to secure greater influence over federal policy and resource allocation. Sabah, he added, must similarly prioritise parliamentary strength over state contests to better safeguard its interests at the national level.
“Unity among the people of Sabah is key to future progress. A divided political landscape weakens our collective strength and limits Sabah’s role in national development,” he said, urging Chinese voters and all communities to take a pragmatic approach.
Over the next two and a half years, LDP plans to work closely with both GRS and PH, focusing on parliamentary performance to boost Sabah’s bargaining power rather than competing at the state level.
Chin stressed that political stability is essential for attracting investment and driving development, which would create jobs, spur infrastructure projects, and improve social welfare for Sabahans.
He also noted that while Warisan holds several state assembly seats, its limited parliamentary representation weakens its influence over federal policy and resource allocation.
“Strengthening Sabah’s parliamentary voice is the only way to secure tangible benefits for our people,” Chin said, reaffirming LDP’s commitment to pragmatism, unity, and cooperation.
He added that LDP aims to serve as a bridge between GRS and PH to foster a stable political environment and reinforce Sabah’s role in national development.
