Sabah polls show peninsular-based parties not needed in Borneo states, says Sagah

KUCHING (Dec 1): The results of the 17th Sabah state election has given a clear message that Sabahans prefer local-based parties, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.

The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president said the political developments in Sabah clearly express the desire of Sabahans to chart their own course.

“It also shows that peninsular-based parties do not need to come to Sabah and Sarawak,” the Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister told reporters at an event here.

He emphasised that Sabah and Sarawak each have unique political landscapes shaped by their people and priorities.

According to him, Sabah’s election outcome should be viewed through the lens of local sentiment.

“From a political perspective, Sabah has its own way of doing things. What happened, I believe, was due to the desire of the people of Sabah.

“We heard a lot during the campaign. They were very firm in their belief that Sabah is for Sabahans,” he pointed out.

He added that the results reflected a strong message from the people who want decisions affecting Sabah to be grounded in local needs and identity.

“In the end, it’s up to the people to understand what is happening in the state’s politics,” he said.

On Saturday, the Sabah-based parties that triumphed were Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (29), followed by Parti Warisan (25), United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (3), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (2), and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (1), along with five independents.

For peninsular-based parties, Barisan Nasional contested in 45 constituencies and won six seats, one Perikatan Nasional candidate won out of the 42 seats contested, while Pakatan Harapan stood in 22 seats and won two.