Kota Kinabalu: Former Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh said current sentiments and grievances within Sabah suggest that if a referendum were held today, it is possible that a substantial majority of Sabahans, potentially exceeding 80 per cent, will opt for secession from the Federation.
He said the accumulation of dissatisfaction and the perception of unequal representation have evidently fuelled this inclination towards seeking independence.
“Regrettably, Malaysia’s unity as a nation has been significantly strained in recent years. A critical turning point occurred in 2018 when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was unable to secure a simple majority to form the Federal Government.
At that juncture, Najib found himself under siege, as he needed the backing of the 60 Members of Parliament from Sabah and Sarawak to bolster his leadership.