Kota Kinabalu: United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) on Tuesday affirmed their role as Sabah’s bridge to Putrajaya, pointing out their achievements in resolving nine demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 through the Madani Government.
In a joint statement, Upko President Datuk Ewon Benedick and PBRS President Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said their parties continue to advocate for Sabah’s interests within the Federal political coalition.
“The pursuit of ‘Sabah First’ requires cooperation among all political parties in Sabah, which must be achieved through good relations between the Federal and State Governments via wise negotiations, not confrontation,” they said.
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');});The two leaders pointed to their track record of raising various Sabah issues within their respective political coalition platforms, including at the Cabinet level.
“This approach has proven effective with nine demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 now resolved by the Madani Government, while four were addressed by the former administration,” they said.
Both parties remain committed to advocating for the remaining MA63 demands, including prioritising Sabah’s development needs in the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan for 2026-2030.
“We will continue to fight for the remaining MA63 demands including the ‘Sabah First’ development requirements in the implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan through a collaborative approach with other parties in Sabah,” they said.
The two leaders also agreed that local aspirations should form the foundation for negotiations toward a larger Sabah political coalition ahead of the state election, without compromising political stability and public harmony.
“Upko and PBRS will continue contributing to the unity of Sabah’s people while simultaneously working toward Malaysian solidarity,” they said.
PBRS also said recent remarks about the “Sabah for Sabahans” sentiment by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have been misunderstood and taken out of context.
It said Zahid’s comments were not intended to reject the rights or identity of Sabahans but rather to caution against divisive politics that could undermine national unity.
“What he actually meant was not a rejection of the rights or identity of Sabahans, but a reminder for all of us to steer clear of divisive politics that could fracture national unity,” it said.
PBRS said Zahid’s message aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent speech in Tawau, which stressed the importance of unity and collective growth as one Malaysia.
“The spirit of togetherness and mutual progress was central to his message, and it is one that PBRS fully supports,” it added.
The party expressed its belief that Sabah’s strength comes from unity and inclusive cooperation rather than isolation. They highlighted the collaboration between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan as a foundation for broader cooperation, inviting all political forces in Sabah to work together for the State’s development.
“We urge the public not to fall for narrow narratives that seek to divide. Sabahans’ rights and interests will always be defended, but this must be achieved within the framework of a united and progressive Malaysia,” read the statement.