Sabah Youth Council decries inclusion of non-Sabahan party in state govt

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 1): The voice of Sabah’s youth has risen in protest over recent developments in the formation of the State Cabinet, following the decision to involve a non-Sabahan party in the state government’s structure.

Sabah Youth Council (MBS) president Abqaree Fawwaz Abekan said the move has caused deep disappointment among young Sabahans who have long struggled to defend the state’s political dignity.

“Today, we stand with heavy and disappointed hearts over the latest developments in the formation of the state Cabinet. The decision to involve an external party in the structure of the Sabah state government has caused deep wounds and disappointment among Sabah’s youth, who have fought tirelessly to defend the political dignity of this state,” he said in a statement on Monday.

Abqaree said young people across Sabah had sacrificed their time, energy and commitment throughout the political process, campaigning, mobilising and raising their voices for change, with one clear hope: that Sabah’s future would be determined by its own people, not dictated by external political interests from Peninsular Malaysia.

“However, what has happened today seems to deny all those sacrifices. We feel sidelined, belittled and unappreciated, as if our struggle to uphold the dignity of this state is being treated as nothing more than a political game,” he said.

He stressed that Sabah’s youth want to see courageous and dignified leadership that is free from outside influence, and a state that stands firmly on its own feet.

“Young people want to see Sabah stand on its own, not leaning on powers that have, for decades, slowed its progress and stifled our aspirations,” he added.

In his statement, Abqaree underlined several key positions, that Sabah’s dignity is not for sale, the voices of youth must not be used and then cast aside, and that Sabah deserves leadership that truly fights for its people’s future.

He emphasised that the youth movement is not driven by hatred towards any party or group, but by a deep desire to protect Sabah’s autonomy and to defend the aspirations of a generation that wants genuine change.

“We do not reject cooperation or sever ties, but such cooperation must respect the dignity of Sabah’s youth,” he said.

Abqaree reaffirmed that Sabah’s youth will continue to rise, to speak out, and to defend their rights in shaping a more dignified future for the state.

“This is our land. This is our dignity. This is our future. Long live Sabah — for dignity, for the future,” he said.