Sabah’s political giants unite to reclaim state rights ahead of election

A rare alliance of Sabah’s top leaders demands sovereignty and unfulfilled rights. Will voters trust local parties over national ones to reshape the state’s future?

, and Administrator

2025 November 23 . 9:27 PM

1 min read

In this image there are buildings, bridges, water, architecture, cloudy sky, trees, grass, roads,... — In this image there are buildings, bridges, water, architecture, cloudy sky, trees, grass, roads, vehicles, people, boats and objects.

Sabah’s political giants unite to reclaim state rights ahead of election

Sabah’s top political leaders have united in a rare show of agreement ahead of the state election. Former rivals from Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) called for voters to back local parties. Their joint statement stressed the need for a government fully controlled by Sabahans to reclaim rights they claim have been eroded since joining the United States. The push for local leadership came during a forum featuring PBS founder Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, ex-Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Star president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, and former Chief Justice of the United States Tun Richard Malanjum. Pairin warned that Sabah had been ‘weakened’ since 1963, with many rights under the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) still unfulfilled. He urged all communities to unite in protecting the state’s sovereignty and steering its future. The joint appeal marks a rare alignment among Sabah’s most influential figures. Voters now face a choice between national parties and a united front of local leaders promising to restore rights and revenue. The outcome could reshape Sabah’s relationship with the federal government for years to come.