Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan has accused the Federal Government of deliberately incapacitating Sabah over the past four decades to keep the state weak, divided and dependent.
Supreme Council Member KC Chen said what Sabah is experiencing today — from deteriorating infrastructure to high living costs — is the direct result of decades of neglect by Putrajaya.
“The federal government’s refusal to honour Sabah’s 40pc revenue entitlement is not an administrative lapse — it is a deliberate act to weaken Sabah’s financial independence and keep us under perpetual dependency,” Chen said.
“For years, Sabahans have been made to feel inferior, as though we are incapable of managing our own affairs. This was a narrative crafted to justify control while our natural resources — especially oil and gas — were relentlessly exploited for federal gain,” he claimed.
Chen stressed that the recent High Court order affirming Sabah’s right to pursue its entitlements for the lost years has reignited the fight for justice.
“We need a leader who dares to stand firm and speak up for Sabah’s rights — especially now that the court has affirmed our entitlement to claim what has been wrongfully withheld for decades. Only a leader with genuine courage and loyalty to Sabah can do this,” Chen said.
He warned Sabahans against trusting leaders from Malaya-based parties, saying that such leaders would never truly champion Sabah’s cause.
“Just imagine if a Chief Minister from BN, DAP, or PKR were to negotiate on our behalf — they would get nothing for us. They answer to their masters in Malaya, not to the people of Sabah,” Chen said.
He said as a result, Sabah’s basic infrastructure, including roads, water, and electricity supply, has deteriorated, disrupting business activities and discouraging both local and foreign investments.
The neglect has also forced Sabah to rely heavily on imported goods, driving up the cost of living far above that in Peninsular Malaysia and even neighbouring Sarawak.
“If given the mandate, Warisan is determined to put a stop to this decades-long manipulation and exploitation of Sabah. Our mission is clear — to reclaim Sabah’s rights, restore our dignity, and rebuild a strong, self-reliant state where every Sabahan can stand proud and independent.”
