Kota Kinabalu: Calls for cleaner politics, transparency and stronger unity among Sabah’s youth took centre stage at the Bah Bincang Kita Sabah Pre-Election Youth Forum 2025 held here on Saturday.
The dialogue gathered youth representatives from major political parties and more than 100 invited participants for an issue-based discussion on Sabah’s future.
Organised by a coalition of non-partisan civic movements including Community Empowerment Initiative Sabah, Gerakan Anak Sabah, Hai Mandak, Sabah Youth Movement, Seen, Spade, and The Sip Sip Show, the forum aimed to promote informed and respectful political engagement ahead of the next state election.
Warisan Deputy Information Chief Justin Wong said Sabah’s youth are now more data-driven and politically aware, urging them to assess leaders not just by popularity but by their capacity to govern effectively.
“When it comes to choosing your assemblyman, you also have to look at who can be your Chief Minister, because a Chief Minister determines how Sabah moves forward,” he said.
He said that despite the current government’s two-thirds majority, Sabah continues to record the country’s highest unemployment rate and negative labour productivity growth.
On the High Court ruling affirming Sabah’s right to 40 per cent of federal revenue, Wong said the decision confirmed the state’s constitutional entitlement and must be implemented without delay.
“The court made it clear, the 40 per cent is not rhetoric or negotiation. It must be implemented now. This is not an allocation, it is payment owed to Sabah,” he said.
Star Wiramuda Tamparuli Division Chief Jess Joel Moriga meanwhile said Sabah’s multi-party politics reflect the “true colour of democracy”, but the younger generation must take the lead in bridging divisions and fostering political maturity.
“This is not the time to point fingers. We must revolutionise our politics , youth must become the bridge so that no one is left behind,” he said.
Jess proposed that the State Legislative Assembly form its own Public Accounts Committee (PSC) comprising both government and opposition members to strengthen fiscal accountability.
“Let’s have our own PSC in Sabah. This is our constituency, we should decide how money is spent and make sure every ringgit benefits the people,” he said.
He also urged young voters to reject divisive politics based on race and religion, saying stability and progress must be shared responsibilities.
“Beyond race, beyond religion, what matters is building Sabah’s future together,” he said.
Wong emphasised that the slogan “Sabah for Sabahans” should evolve into “Sabahans for Sabah”, symbolising a more proactive and service-oriented mindset among the younger generation.
“It’s not about what Sabah can do for us, but what we can do for Sabah,” he said, urging voters to judge leaders based on integrity and performance rather than age, race or religion.
The Bah Bincang Kita forum featured youth representatives from DAP, GRS, Keadilan, Muda, PIS, SAPP, Star, Upko and Warisan, and was funded entirely through community crowdfunding to maintain transparency and independence.
The organisers said the event was intended to set a new benchmark for youth-led political discourse in Sabah by focusing on policy, governance and shared responsibility for the state’s future.
