Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has criticized the rising calls for a “Sabah for Sabahans” approach ahead of the upcoming state election, expressing concern that such sentiments could harm national unity. Speaking in Seberang Prai, Zahid described the slogan as a divisive concept that undermines Sabah’s integral role within the Malaysian federation. He stressed that strong ties between Sabah and the federal government are essential for the state’s continued development and long-term prosperity.
Zahid, who also chairs Barisan Nasional (BN), emphasized that collaborative governance between federal and state administrations would bring more benefits to Sabah. He underlined the importance of a united Malaysian identity over regional exclusivity, arguing that working together would yield better outcomes than pushing for local-centric agendas.
On the topic of electoral strategy, Zahid mentioned that BN aims to reclaim the seats it secured during the last state election. This move is seen as a necessary step before any potential alliance with the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) can be discussed. In the 2020 election, BN won 14 seats while GRS secured 11. However, GRS has since increased its strength to 42 assemblymen, largely due to party defections.
Despite this shift in the political landscape, BN remains confident about contesting a significant number of seats, reportedly eyeing 38 constituencies in the Sabah assembly. Zahid’s comments followed the recent announcement by the unity government coalition secretariat, confirming that Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN have agreed to cooperate in the upcoming state polls.
In reaction to this announcement, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor signaled that his coalition is prepared to contest independently. He reiterated GRS’s belief that local parties should remain at the heart of Sabah’s leadership. According to him, such parties are better equipped to represent and understand the unique social, cultural, and economic realities of the state.
As Sabah moves closer to another crucial election, the competing narratives of national integration versus local autonomy are set to play a central role in political debates. While federal leaders like Zahid push for unity with Putrajaya, local coalitions continue to emphasize regional representation, setting the stage for a potentially contentious campaign season.
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