KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party Vice President David Ong has defended the “Sabah for Sabahans” sentiment, calling it a demand for fairness and justice, not a divisive agenda, as claimed by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Responding to Zahid’s remarks, Ong said Sabah has long been marginalized since joining Malaysia, with its resources exploited and decisions made without Sabahans' input.
He stressed that “Sabah for Sabahans” is about reclaiming rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, ensuring local governance, and correcting historical injustices, not rejecting national unity.
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');});He also criticized the double standards in West Malaysian politics, where race and religion based rhetoric goes unchecked, while Sabahans seeking autonomy are labelled divisive.
“Sabahans of all backgrounds live in harmony. We’re asking to manage our own affairs, not break from Malaysia.
“Standing up for Sabah is responsible. What’s truly divisive is ignoring our voices,” he said.