Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Deputy Sec-Gen. Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali called for a structural rethinking of federal-state relations, saying Sabah’s interests must be negotiated government-to-government and not through political party channels.
“The relationship between the federal and state governments must be inter-governmental, not intra-party,” Armizan stressed, in a pointed critique of how national political dominance can undermine state priorities.
He said GRS does not reject cooperation with national parties, but believes local parties must lead the Sabah Government to safeguard state interests.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“Too often, when both levels of government are controlled by the same national party, state matters are first discussed behind closed party doors. This compromises Sabah’s voice,” he said.
He warned that intra-party negotiations can lead to federal interests being prioritised over regional concerns, especially when national party loyalty is seen as absolute.
“We’ve seen this happen in the decades-long delay of MA63 implementation, where party lines muted state demands,” said Armizan.
While he welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s more responsive stance on MA63, Armizan cautioned that state rights should not depend on the goodwill of individual leaders.
“Commitment can change with federal leadership. That’s why we need a structural model that guarantees Sabah’s interests will be respected, regardless of who is in power.”
He reaffirmed GRS’ core philosophy of Sabah First, emphasising that the state government must always place Sabah’s agenda above all else.
“We do not oppose national interests, but let the federal government champion that. The state government must be led by local parties who understand and prioritise Sabah.”
As Sabah gears up for its next state election, Armizan reiterated that GRS intends to lead the state administration.
“This election is about choosing the Sabah government. Let national parties lead Putrajaya. We will support and cooperate. But let local parties lead in Sabah,” he said.
He also said GRS remains open to collaborating with national parties, including during the election, but on the understanding that local parties be given the space to contest and lead at the state level.
"This is the model that currently defines the GRS-PH Plus cooperation, a federal coalition led by national parties, and a Sabah government grounded in local leadership,” he said after officiating the Gagasan Rakyat Darau AGM on Sunday.
Meanwhile, GRS direct member Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan urged Sabah leaders to move beyond internal political feuds and focus on a united vision for the state’s future.
“We need to stop fighting. Sabahan leaders have been fighting among themselves for years. Why can’t we stand together, be objective, and look ahead to Sabah’s future especially for the next generation?” he asked.
He was responding to certain leaders and the public who preferred to see GRS go solo at the polls, calling them to reflect on what Sabah truly needs.
“Do we want to keep fighting? Or do we want to bring Sabah to a higher level?” he said after officiating the Gagasan Rakyat Moyog AGM in Penampang also on Sunday.