.jpg)
By Mihar Dias January 2026
There is a peculiar political logic that applies only when Sabah opens its mouth.
When Kelantan insists on PAS-only rule, it is called ideological clarity.
When Terengganu does the same, it is mandate of the people.
When Johor lets Umno run the show without power-sharing, it is stability and tradition.
But when Sabah suggests — politely, calmly, constitutionally — that Sabah-based parties should lead Sabah, suddenly the Peninsular political class develops hives.
“Fragmentation!”
“National unity!”
“Destabilisation!”
Apparently, federalism is a buffet: everyone may eat, but Sabah must wash the dishes.
Shafie Apdal’s question is devastating precisely because it is so simple:
If it is good for Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor, why not Sabah? https://newswav.com/A2601_Y72y2U?s=A_nbPHVXj&language=en And Peninsular politicians hate simple questions. They prefer complex excuses.
Let us be honest about the unspoken assumption:
Sabah is expected to deliver MPs, votes, stability, loyalty — but not leadership. Sabah may speak, but not decide. Sabah may contribute, but not control. Sabah may be consulted, but only after Putrajaya has already decided.
Shafie is not rejecting cooperation. He is rejecting colonial-style political management, where Sabah is treated like a franchise outlet run by headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. https://newswav.com/A2601_Y72y2U?s=A_nbPHVXj&language=en
Warisan’s stance is not anti-federal — it is pro-consistency.
After all, nobody tells Kelantan PAS,
“You may govern, but only if Putrajaya approves your candidates.”
Nobody tells Johor Umno,
“Please dilute your leadership so outsiders feel represented.”
Nobody lectures Sarawak,
“Your state parties are selfish.”
But Sabah? Sabah must be grateful. Sabah must compromise. Sabah must wait its turn — a turn that never quite arrives.
When Sabah MPs sit in Parliament, their voices are routinely submerged under party discipline drafted 1,600 kilometres away. National party interests take precedence; Sabah issues become footnotes, negotiated down to commas. And then the same people ask why Sabahans feel unheard.
This is not about personalities. It is about political adulthood.
If Sarawak is trusted to manage its destiny, if Kelantan is trusted to live with PAS, if Johor is trusted to run Umno-style governance, then refusing Sabah the same right is not unity — it is hypocrisy dressed up as patriotism.
Shafie’s message is uncomfortable because it exposes a double standard:
Federalism for you, supervision for us.
So here is a modest proposal to our well-meaning Peninsular friends:
Practice what you preach.
If you believe states know their people best, let Sabah prove it.
If you believe local representation matters, stop diluting Sabah’s voice.
If you believe Malaysia is a federation, stop treating Sabah like a dependency.
Sabah is not asking to leave Malaysia. Sabah is asking to lead Sabah.
And if that idea feels threatening, perhaps the problem is not Sabah —but the fear of finally letting Sabah speak without permission.
Mihar Dias (mihardias@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact creator@newswav.com.
