ELECTIONS should not be the cause of severing ties simply because of power struggles, rather the democratic process should be seen as a space to form a government through healthy differences of opinion.
PKR Deputy Secretary-General, Aidi Amin Yazid, stressed that manners during campaigning must always be maintained by focusing on the best offers and policies for the people, rather than belittling the opponent.
According to him, the future of Sabah, which will be determined in the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17), is expected to see a new dynamic involving cooperation between Pakatan Harapan (PH), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Barisan Nasional (BN).
He said the agreement between the three coalitions allows the government to focus fully on the people's agenda without overlapping candidates, thus strengthening the spirit of unity under the Madani Government.
“We want the best for the people of Sabah. What is more important is that every candidate must understand the meaning of ghibtah and munafasah, which is competing to achieve success like others without feeling jealous or wanting to take the fortune of others,” he said.
Aidi Amin explained that the Unity Government is focusing on the fundamental issues that have long plagued the people of Sabah, including aspects of infrastructure development and basic needs.
According to him, for 2026, Sabah will receive a development allocation of RM6.9 billion, a significant increase compared to RM4.4 billion in 2022, as evidence of the government's high commitment to the state.
Of this amount, RM1.2 billion will be channeled to ensure the stability of electricity supply after the handover of energy regulation to the state in January 2024.
In addition, RM765 million has been allocated for the Southern Link Project, which aims to ensure stable energy supply, especially in the east coast of Sabah which is frequently affected by disasters such as landslides in Penampang.
“The government has also allocated RM1 billion for the Sabah water project, including the installation of new pipes in Tawau and the replacement of old pipes in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan,” he said.
In terms of education and skills, he said, a new Vocational College will be built in Sabah in line with the RM7.9 billion allocation for the national TVET sector.
The government has also provided RM650 million in funding through the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) which will benefit more than 25,000 trainees, including in Sabah.
“The National TVET Council is also implementing the IPT@Community program to introduce the basics of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology to tahfiz and pondok students, so that the younger generation of Sabah can compete in an economy based on skills and innovation,” he said.
He said that the struggle of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to bring about economic reforms, strengthen infrastructure and empower the education of the people in Sabah is still not over.
“Hopefully the new mandate that will be obtained through the PH-GRS-BN agreement can form a stable state government and bring a new political dynamic to realise the ‘Harapan Urang Sabah’,” he said. - November 13, 2025