Kota Kinabalu: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Datuk Chin Su Phin urged Sabahans to capitalise on growing unity and political maturity in the State by supporting local-based parties in the upcoming parliamentary election.
He said this will enable Sabah to stand alongside Sarawak as a strong East Malaysian bloc.
“Consolidating support behind Sabah-based parties will help secure greater autonomy and development, in line with the rights enshrined under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said at the party’s Chinese New Year luncheon with the media.
Chin also commended the State Government for officially recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and backing it up with action and funding, describing the initiative as a meaningful step forward for the Chinese community.
He noted that while the RM5 million allocation for UEC student scholarships was a concrete measure, it could have been better publicised.
He added that Sabah and Sarawak could build a brighter future if East Malaysians fully harness the strength of local parties.
Despite disappointment over the 2025 Sabah state election outcome, Chin said the results reflected increasing political maturity, with voters from Chinese, Kadazan-Dusun and Malay communities uniting behind local parties.
“Sabahans are no longer easily swayed by peninsula-based parties but are instead prioritising their own interests and identity,” he said.
Chin urged continued momentum in supporting the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, which he said champions Sabahans’ interests.
