Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the coalition has never lost the people’s mandate at the ballot box, insisting that the fall of the BN government in 2018 was due to political defections rather than voter rejection.
He said Sabah BN had won the majority of seats through legitimate electoral processes, but its administration collapsed when several elected representatives switched allegiance after the general election.
“Those who defected refused to stand with the BN federal government. Their actions not only destabilised Sabah’s political landscape but also betrayed the people’s mandate,” he said.
Bung described the 2018 episode as a dark chapter in Sabah’s political history and urged voters to never again allow the State’s future to be determined by the “politics of defection.”“Modern politics is no longer about who holds power, but about legitimacy and trust. When a government changes not because of the people’s will, but due to betrayal of their mandate, what collapses is not merely a government but the very institution, moral fabric and political dignity of the State itself,” he said.
Bung said the State is now suffering from what he termed as “democratic fatigue”, a growing disillusionment among the public towards inconsistent and unprincipled politics.
“Every episode of defection is not just a political drama; it injures the social contract between the people and their leaders.
“A government born out of betrayal will never be able to inspire confidence. And without confidence, there can be no lasting stability,” he added.
According to Bung, true stability is achieved not through slogans, but through integrity in leadership and the strength of institutions.
Calling for an end to “experimental politics,” Bung urged Sabahans to support leaders who are committed to clear policies and consistent governance.
“Enough with experimental politics. Sabah needs policy firmness, visionary leadership and governance grounded in reason,” he said.