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KUDAT MP Datuk Verdon Bahanda has declared that the ‘Black Wave’ movement he leads has become one of the principal challengers to the major parties contesting the 17th Sabah General Election, citing a rapid rise in support from young and undecided voters seeking clean and uncompromised leadership.
He said public interest had been intensifying by the day. “Every day there is an increase in visibility and attraction among supporters, as well as the public as a whole, towards what we are offering through the ‘Black Wave’ movement.
“It is drawing more and more people, and I can see that we are among the main challengers to the major parties currently contesting,” he told Astro AWANI in an interview on Friday.
He said the momentum could be seen across almost all constituencies where the movement had fielded candidates, covering both urban and interior areas.
Verdon, who is contesting Tanjong Kapor, said he preferred not to boast but remained confident of winning at least eight to 12 of the 17 seats.
“I expect that in the Kudat parliamentary area itself, we will win the three seats we are contesting — Banggi, Bengkoka and Tanjong Kapor — as well as several other areas such as Malalap and Inanam.
“These include urban areas where the communities tend to be more open-minded. The same goes for our candidates in Tawau, namely Balung and Kukusan. God willing, I expect we will win at least eight to 12 seats in the Sabah state election,” he said.
Verdon acknowledged that contesting only 17 seats meant the movement could not form a government on its own, but said the expected number of victories would position the Black Wave as an important force in post-election negotiations.
He stressed their aim was to become a stabilising partner in the state administration. “Yes, this is one of our directions (to become a kingmaker) because we realise that contesting 17 seats will not enable us to form a government.
“In addition, no party will secure a simple majority of 37 seats, and the group that will be the easiest to negotiate with will be us — those who win under the Black Wave movement,” he said.
Verdon said the movement was born out of public frustration and increasing acceptance of his outspoken advocacy for Sabah’s rights. Initial scepticism, he said, had faded as voters came to understand the sincerity and clarity of the movement’s struggle. “I see that there is no longer any perception that the colour black represents darkness.
“Now we are accepted as a colour symbolising courage in going against the tide in order to defend dignity, principles and ideology — qualities leaders should embody as true voices of the grassroots and the people,” he said, recalling his previous win as one of two independent candidates who caused an upset in Sabah during the 2022 general election.
He added that unlike traditional parties, the Black Wave was not offering a manifesto but ten leadership pillars intended to restore political power to the people. The first, he said, was returning real power to voters, as all Black Wave candidates were not bound by any external directives and were free to champion their constituents’ interests.
He said the movement planned to pursue greater autonomy through new enactments and the establishment of a special action body to coordinate economic policies and administrative responsibilities. “We will work to gain cooperation from all components within the government that will be formed, so that we can strengthen the transformation of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly.
“This includes how we can secure our rights and become as strong as our neighbouring region, Sarawak,” he said.
The remaining pillars include anti-corruption, native rights, dismantling bureaucracy, merit and investment, youth development, basic necessities and Borneo cooperation.
The Election Commission has set 25 November for early voting and 29 November for polling day, with more than 1.7 million registered voters eligible to participate in the 17th Sabah state election. - November 22, 2025