Kota Kinabalu: A coalition of non-partisan youth and civic organisations will host “Bah-Bincang Kita: Sabah Pre-Election Youth Forum 2025”, here, on Nov 8.
The forum, jointly organised by several youth groups, including Community Empowerment Initiative Sabah, Gerakan Anak Sabah, Hai Mandak, Sabah Youth Movement, Seen, Spade and The Sip Sip Show, aims to provide a neutral space for policy-driven discussions among youth leaders and 120 invited participants.
Although the event will be held behind closed doors, the organisers have encouraged public participation through live streams on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram to widen youth engagement.
In a joint statement, Monday, the organisers said the initiative reflects a growing desire among Sabah’s youth for mature political discourse that prioritises governance, development and shared progress over divisive politics.
“This is more than an event; it’s a defining opportunity for young Sabahans to shape political history.
“We want to show that political engagement can be intelligent, respectful and rooted in shared responsibility for Sabah’s future,” the organisers said.
The initiative, they added, aims to foster political maturity by moving beyond divisive politics toward policy-driven discussions on governance, development and Sabah’s collective future.
The forum has received encouraging support from across the political spectrum, with youth representatives from DAP, GRS, Keadilan, Muda, PIS, SAPP, Star, Upko, and Warisan confirming their participation.
Each participant will be given equal time and opportunity to share their vision for Sabah.
The organisers highlighted that all parties will be treated with “equal respect, equal exposure, and equal voice, no hierarchy, no bias, only ideas, vision and policy.”With more than 55 per cent of Sabah’s electorate under 40, organisers said the forum comes at a crucial time. Many first-time voters are expected to cast their ballots in the coming election, and the session aims to equip them with a clearer understanding of the issues and choices that matter most to their future.
Ultimately, the “Bah-Bincang Kita” forum seeks to redefine politics for young Sabahans not as a contest of rhetoric, but as a platform for collaboration, creativity and problem-solving.
To uphold the spirit of non-partisanship and accountability, the organisers said the forum will be funded entirely through small community crowdfunding contributions. A full financial report will be presented during the opening session and made public after the event.
“We want this forum to reflect the values we stand for: transparency, inclusivity, and the belief that young people can lead a healthier, more mature political conversation for Sabah,” the statement said.