Results prove Sabahans reject Peninsula-based parties – SAPP

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 30): The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) says the outcome of the 17th Sabah state election has vindicated its long-standing position that political parties from Peninsular Malaysia should not interfere in Sabah’s political landscape.
In a statement on Sunday, SAPP Information Chief Chin Vui Kai said the poor performance of all “Malaya” parties — despite deploying significant resources throughout the campaign — reflected a clear rejection by Sabah voters.
He said Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Bersatu (PPBM) should not have contested in Sabah at all, adding that the single seat won by PAS under the PN banner did not represent the coalition’s influence. Instead, he attributed the victory to “weak local machinery” from GRS and Warisan in the constituency, a last-minute candidate swap, and the sizeable voter population at the Sepanggar Naval Base.
Barisan Nasional (BN), once a dominant force in Sabah politics, secured only six seats, while the Democratic Action Party (DAP) was wiped out entirely —​ a stark contrast to its strong showings in the 2020 state election and the 2022 general election.
Chin added that Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) sole victory in Melalap could not be credited to the coalition, noting that the winner was “fundamentally a GRS leader,” and that local dynamics outweighed party affiliation.
Although SAPP failed to secure any of the six seats it contested, Chin said the party takes pride in the growing public support for its core message: rejecting Malaya-based parties and strengthening awareness of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Sabah’s autonomy.
He said SAPP’s push for MA63 issues began during the 2010 Batu Sapi by-election and had since evolved from a “lone voice” into a widespread sentiment among Sabahans.
“Our struggle was not in vain. The seeds we planted have borne fruit,” he said.
Chin reiterated that SAPP will continue championing Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement, the review of the Territorial Sea Act 2012, and other MA63-related matters. He also said the party believes future elections, including parliamentary contests, should involve only Sabah-based parties as Sabahans “reclaim their dignity and rights”.
He acknowledged that campaigning required substantial resources but credited the dedication and discipline of SAPP’s members and volunteers for successfully amplifying the party’s message across the state.