DEPUTY Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has called on all political parties in Sabah to campaign with professionalism and restraint during the 17th Sabah State Election.
Speaking after the launch of the Sarawak Women’s Impact Forum, Fadillah, who also oversees Sabah and Sarawak affairs, stressed that election campaigns should serve as a platform for parties to communicate their policies and plans, rather than fuel tensions or divisions within the community.
“I hope all contesting parties campaign in a disciplined manner on the basis of democratic spirit and avoid actions that could provoke tension or create divisions,” he said, underlining the importance of preserving harmony in Sabah’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.
He added, “Avoid actions that could divide not only our communities in Sabah but also disrupt the broader harmony of Malaysia. Uphold order, and adhere to all electoral rules and regulations.”
Fadillah also congratulated Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg on receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver, from the government of Japan. He described the award as international recognition of Abang Johari’s leadership in promoting clean and renewable energy.
“This is not an ordinary award. It is recognition from abroad that Tan Sri Abang Johari is a champion in advancing green and clean energy. He is a champion not only for Sarawak but for Malaysia as a whole,” Fadillah said.
Fadillah further highlighted Malaysia’s ongoing support for the expansion of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), building on the Laos–Thailand–Malaysia–Singapore model of regional energy integration.
He emphasised that the success of such initiatives depends on participating countries’ ability to upgrade their grids to accommodate higher volumes of renewable energy.
“The existing model has proven to be the most effective pilot project and now serves as a reference for APG expansion to other nations, including Malaysia–Vietnam cooperation,” Fadillah said.
“We need to upgrade our grid systems to incorporate all green energy. Once the grid is strengthened, only then can we begin trading.”
He explained that without technical enhancements, nations cannot reliably manage fluctuations in hydro, solar, and wind energy, which complicates cross-border renewable energy trade.
ASEAN is currently reviewing mechanisms to enable member states to buy or sell electricity according to demand, reflecting past instances when Malaysia received assistance from Thailand and Singapore during supply disruptions in Petaling Jaya.
Fadillah noted that Sarawak continues to lead in regional energy exports, supplying electricity to West Kalimantan and planning connections to Sabah and Brunei, positioning the state as a cornerstone of a more stable, low-carbon, and mutually supportive APG network during crises.
“By strengthening our infrastructure and regional cooperation, we ensure that renewable energy becomes a reliable and shared resource across borders, supporting sustainability and stability for all ASEAN members,” he added. - November 16, 2025
