Sabah polls: Governance of the state must be driven by local-based parties, says Shafie

SABAHANS are eager for stability and development, but they want it steered by leaders from Sabah itself, Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal told supporters during a community gathering in Kolombong.

Speaking to the crowd, Shafie said the push for autonomy is rooted in Sabahans’ desire to shape their own future.

“This is our home, our mandate, and our responsibility.”

“We can collaborate with leaders in Kuala Lumpur, but governance must be driven by Sabah-based parties if we truly want to move this state—and Malaysia—forward.”

Shafie questioned whether Sabah has ever been treated as an equal partner in the Malaysian federation, despite the state’s role in forming the nation.

“Peninsular Malaysia controls over 400 parliamentary seats. Warisan doesn’t contest there anymore, because when we did, we were told we didn’t belong.

“Yet they come here, where there are only 73 seats, and still want a share,” he said.

The former Chief Minister also criticised what he described as racially charged attacks by rival parties, calling such tactics a distraction from Sabah’s real issues.

“My mission has always been unity—bringing Sabah’s diverse communities under one struggle to reclaim our rights,” he said. “I served as the federal Minister of Unity. Wanting Sabah to progress under a Sabah-based party is not divisive.”

Shafie contrasted his administration’s short 20-month tenure—marked by the intensity of the Covid-19 pandemic—with the current leadership’s five years in office.

“Back then, the priority was survival. We were managing lockdowns and ensuring people had support. Today, with no pandemic and with significant resources, many of Sabah’s long-standing problems remain.”

He raised concerns about the state government’s financial decisions, particularly the RM900 million bond used to clear the debts of Sabah International Petroleum (SIP), a private entity.

“That bond is now a debt for the state. Public funds were used to cover the liabilities of a private company. How is this different from what happened in the 1MDB scandal?”

Shafie argued that the same amount could have been channelled toward solving chronic water supply issues in Sabah.

He also rejected accusations that Sabah is demanding special treatment by asserting its constitutional rights.

“We are not asking for favours. This is Sabah’s entitlement under the law. We only want what already belongs to us,” he added. – November 28, 2025