KOTA KINABALU: The Bajau Semporna Bumiputera Association (Perbubas) has called on Sabahans, especially political leaders and voters, to reject Peninsula-based political parties and reclaim the state's political autonomy.
Perbubas President Mansor Santiri said Sabah must not continue living in fear of federal leaders and should instead unite behind local parties to restore dignity and real representation as championed by early local movements.
“Whoever becomes minister must be brave. Were not leaving Malaysia so why should we fear the Prime Minister?”Mansor told Daily Express.
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 lamented that despite STAR and PBS pushing for local political dominance for decades, Sabah continues to fall under the influence of Semenanjung-based parties.
He blamed the past introduction of Umno by state Islamic leaders for the side lining of original Sabah-based forces like Usno, leading to the rise of figures like Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and his predecessor Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
“Were not rebelling or seceding,but if we keep fearing Putrajaya, the state will keep losing,” he added.
Mansor said the irony is while many Muslim leaders once resisted Umno’s entry, they later embraced Peninsula coalitions such as Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional during the 2020 elections.
He urged the Chief Minister to show stronger resolve and break away from dependence on federal alliances even with Pakatan Harapan, now part of the GRS-led coalition.
“If they (federal) are serious about MA63, especially on revenue rights, then stop negotiating. Just return what’s stipulated in the Constitution. Want to become like Sarawak? Run independently at state level.
“Local parties must prioritise the agenda and national respect will follow but only when Sabah stands firm through its own leadership,” he said.