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THE slogan “Sabah for Sabahans” has evolved from a grassroots movement into a central political narrative, and virtually every party, large and small, in Sabah uses it for campaigns, each with their own distinct “tune” or interpretation, reflecting their different strategies for state autonomy and economic development.

“Sabah for Sabahans” is on the mind of every true Sabahan. It is our dream which has been elusive since MA63. If “Sabah for Sabahans” is a song, every Sabahan would be singing it!

Politicians being politicians. All of them are singing and cashing in on “Sabah for Sabahans”, trying to impress Sabahans on how good they are at “Sabah for Sabahans”.

The saddest part is that each political party has [i] its own versions, [ii] some are singing out of tune, [iii] some do not know the wordings and [iv] some don’t know what they are singing about, [v] quite a few are singing it and not meaning it, [v] some don’t know why they are singing “Sabah for Sabahans”.

To summarise, most Sabah politicians are into “Sabah for Sabahans” for different versions just to win election, with the little genuine interest of Sabahans in mind.

What are the versions of “Sabah for Sabahans”?

There are as many versions as there are coalitions or parties. These different versions in essence can be categorized into 3 broad types. 

GRS’ partnership with PH. GRS is the only Sabah major party working with PH. This is GRS’ game plan. Its version of “Sabah for Sabahans” is for GRS to be in charge, the dominant partner in the Sabah Government while it will support Anwar’s National Unity Government at the national level. 

GRS will partner PH but not BN in the Sabah election. 

Closely working with PH so far, Hajiji has been able to regain a number of MA63 rights, most important of which is CCA [Commercial Collaboration Agreement] with Petronas.  CCA with Petronas has given Sabah, by and large, the same status as Sarawak in oil and gas. Sabah’s share in oil and gas has, since 2022, grown very impressively. It is still growing. Many jobs and business opportunities are now available to Sabahans which was not the case before.

Sabah’s revenue from oil and gas has also ballooned to between 50% to 70% each year.

Sabah has invested into both upstream and downstream in a major way because of CCA. This option in essence is slightly different from Commercial Settlement Agreement signed by Sarawak and Petronas. Sabah has adopted the less risky option of investing with Petronas.

Sabah has representations in the Boards of IRB and Petronas. These are significant.

Anwar increased the special grant for Sabah from just a few millions to RM300 million and now to RM600 million for 2026. 

Hajiji has regained approval authority on power generation. Because of this, application for power generation can be approved within months, not up to 18 years like before. Problems of Sabah’s power supply can be sorted out within next 10 Years.

In negotiation with the Federal Government are 40%, TSA2012, more parliamentary seats.

GRS’s philosophy is for GRS to continue to be the dominant partner with PH in government which is quite similar to the arrangement in Sarawak. The difference is that Sarawak Government does not have a Malayan party component.

Notwithstanding this fact, it should be noted that Abang Johari has said often that Sarawak has to work with the Federal Government for the good of Malaysia and Sarawak.

The “Pure Local” autonomy approach by other Sabah parties.

There are a pack of unconnected Sabahan “pure local” parties and the Black Wave of independents. Their most important objective is complete political and financial independence. Refusing to do with any Malayan party. 

The major parties in this group are Warisan and STAR/SAPP. 

The situation can still evolve till nomination day. These parties want the next government to be a purely Sabahan government, full autonomy in order to fight for Sabah’s MA63 rights. Quite like the Sarawak model.

This approach has its emotional appeal. Very ideal. Can it be achieved? 

This answer lies in the wisdom of these 2 sayings: “politics is the art of the impossible” and “politics is the art of the possible”.

[1] Sarawak has many distinct advantages:

[i] The Brookes family has ruled Sarawak for 105 years, from 1841 to 1946. It had a proper government. The Brookes had passed legislations to protect Sarawak’s rights and resources. Sabah has been under the Chartered Company from 1881 to 1946. Sabah was a commercial property of The Chartered Company. It failed to pass legislations to protect Sabah’s rights and resources.

[ii] Because of the legacies of the Brookes, Sarawak has a cohesive political system with many rights already in place since MA63. Sabah did not have any. 

Compounding Sabah’s problems, politicians started to fight almost from day 1 of MA63 and never can stop until today.

[iii] Sarawak has built up a very strong, effective and efficient professional civil service with elite officers in charge of all critical ministries and department. Well disciplined. Outstanding implementation team. Succession plan is well in place. There are a clear demarcation and mutual respect between politicians and civil servants.

[iv] Sarawak has built up a massive financial reserve of RM26.9 billion, little debts. Lots of financial discipline. 1st class financial management.

[v] Sarawak has groomed and nurtured a strong private sector especially strong in oil and gas, power generation, industries and agriculture. Likewise, its GLCs are well managed.

[vi] Sarawak has a very good control of its economic ownership. 

[vii] Sarawak has used its resources for Sarawakians. Sabah has allowed most of its resources to be exploited by outsiders and carted out of Sabah. No value-added industry.

[vii] Sarawak has a solid block MP in Parliament which can exert influence in favour of Sarawak. This is reflected that a DPM is from Sarawak, not from Sabah. [viii] Both USNO and PBS have not survived from the political manipulations of Malayan parties.

[ix] It is harsh reality that until equitable changes have been made, the constitution is heavily in favour of the Federal Government. Sabah and Sarawak combined do not have 1/3 in Parliament. 

Sabah is lacking in many of these items. GRS government has started to regain on oil and gas and to increase revenue base and reserves.

 The objective of these Sabah parties is perfect. Will their dream be possible or impossible?

Malayan parties are singing the “National Unity “-melody

These parties are PH [PRK, DAP, Amanah] BN [Umno, MIC, MCA], PN [Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan]. There is also mosquito party from Sarawak.

The loudest tune often comes from national parties with strong Sabah chapters and seeks to de-emphasize the spirit of “Sabah for Sabahans”. Some are claiming “Sabah for Sabahans” is divisive.

One party has claimed it to be a Sabah party because it has been given autonomy.

History is a good teacher. It tells Sabahans that Sabah has not been given a fair deal since MA63. This will weigh heavily in the mind of Sabah voters on polling day. To this day, the 40% has not been resolved. This says a lot.

Below is a table which shows Malaysia’s strongest contributors to GDP by sector in 2024: 

[1] Services:59.40%. [2] Manufacturing:23.10%. [3] Mining & Quarrying: 7% to 8%. [4] Agriculture: 6% to 7%. [5] Construction: 3% to 4%.

Malayan parties in Federal Government have ignored Sabah economically. Sabah is not significant in any sector except in oil and gas [under Mining and Quarrying] only when GRS has regained some rights. Before that, most of it is siphoned out. Sabah has developed tourism mostly on our efforts. What is Sabah’s share in the new exciting Hi Tech industries?

The “newest” and most aggressively growing industries in Malaysia are driven by its two major national blueprints: the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 [NIMP] and the National Energy Transition Roadmap [NETR]. Under these blue prints, new industries are being rapid established. What have Malayan leaders done for Sabah in these new industries?

[1] Digital and High-Tech Economy comprising:

[i] Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Digital Economy 

[ii] Data Centres & Cloud Computing [big investments!] 

[iii] FinTech & Digital Payments.

[2]  Green Economy & Energy Transition comprising:

[i] Renewable Energy. 

[ii] Large-Scale Solar (LSS) Projects. 

[iii] Cross-Border RE Trading. 

[iv] Green Mobility & Electric Vehicles [EVs] 

[v] Hydrogen & Bioenergy. 

[vi] Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage.

[3] Advanced Manufacturing & High-Value E&E comprising:

[i] Rare Earth Permanent Magnets. 

[ii] Semiconductor Design & R&D. 

[iii] Aerospace Manufacturing.

Malayan leaders should tell Sabahan voters why all these new industries are in Malaya?

Why Sabahans must elect a strong united pragmatic government in 2025 election?

Politics in Sabah is a cruel game. National politics is much crueller and deadly selfish. For years, Sabah has been just a pawn to be used on their political chess board.

Don’t expect favour or charity from any federal leaders when Sabah has a weak, divided government caused by squabbling politicians as is happening now. For certain, a weak government will invite exploitations. This is politics.

If there is a lesson for Sabah to learn from Sarawak, it is political unity and cohesiveness. They give top priority to political stability to achieve economic progress with minimal hindrance from KL. Sarawak Government can’t be exploited cos its unity is solid.

Political disunity is Sabah’s biggest problem. It is at its worst now.

A weak, fractious Sabah government after 2025 election will have very grave economic consequences for all Sabahans the like of which may be worse than in the last 60 years. 

We will be played around like before. Sabah is in a self-destruction mode. All the political fragmentation, political turbulence going on in the run up of this election is very bad for Sabah. I pray Sabah voters will be more matured than the politicians and vote in a strong united Sabahan government.

“Sabah for Sabahans”, more parliamentary seats, 40%, repeal of TSA2014, new industries and equitable development fundings and all other things Sabahans want, are only possible if Sabah has a strong, united and pragmatic government. Sabah politicians, please recoup to form a Sabahan Government after 2025 election.

Sabah is at a critical inflection point where major decisions—both political and economic—will determine its trajectory for the next few decades.  

The most crucial point: will Sabah be 1/3 partner or just a minor 1/13 in Malaysia.

The future of Sabah will be stake, very much hanging in the balance. If the Sabah politicians truly love Sabah, they will forsake their pride, political and personal differences. 

Out of the on-going political mess among Sabah parties, I hope there will be sufficient Sabah politicians with statesmanship, good sense and recoup to form a strong, united Government.

 

The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: Forum@dailyexpress.com.my