‘Too many tigers in one hill' Alexander Nanta Linggi on Sabah politics, unlike Sarawak with structured hierarchy

Sinar Daily

20 hours ago

Since the fall of the Barisan Nasional government in 2018, Sabah has seen two chief ministers, multiple party-hopping episodes and an increasingly fragmented field of political contenders. By TASNIM LOKMAN AND KOUSALYA SELVAM
15 Aug 2025 05:55pm
Gabungan Parti Sarawak Secretary-General Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi
SHAH ALAM - As Sabah heads for a state election, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Secretary-General Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi gave his take on the state's political scene describing it as 'crowded with leaders vying for the top post, unlike Sarawak's more structured hierarchy'.
Speaking during Sinar Daily's Top News Podcast titled 'Billions Spent but Are Our Roads Any Safer?', Nanta drew comparisons between the political cultures of the two East Malaysian states, noting that in Sabah, there were many leaders on the same level where everybody deserves to become the chief minister.
"In Sabah, there are so many leaders on the same level. Everybody deserves to become the chief minister.... While in Sarawak, it doesn't mean nobody else deserves, but people understand the hierarchy. In Sabah, it goes like a Chinese saying where maybe there are too many tigers in one hill," he said.
He, who is also Works Minister, drew a contrast between Sabah's competitive political climate and Sarawak's stability under Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, whom he described as an inclusive leader with a clear development mission.
'People know their place and their responsibility. Under Abang Johari's leadership, we know what we're supporting, and it's always for the good of Sarawak,' he added.
Nanta, who rarely comments on Sabah's political affairs, admitted that his visits to the state are infrequent and typically focused on his ministerial duties.
'I seldom go to Sabah, and when I do, it's to construction sites. I have many friends there, but very little opportunity to talk politics, so what I know is basically what's in the media," he noted.
Still, his remarks touch on a long-standing reality in Sabah, a state where shifting alliances and frequent changes in leadership have defined the political landscape for decades. Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) president Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, together with top Sabah leaders, officiates the GRS Annual General Assembly at the Sabah International Convention Centre on July 27, 2025.
Since the fall of the Barisan Nasional government in 2018, Sabah has seen two chief ministers, multiple party-hopping episodes and an increasingly fragmented field of political contenders.
By contrast, he said Sarawak has maintained political stability under the GPS coalition, where leadership transitions have been smooth and policy direction consistent.
'We know that the GPS government under Abang Johari's leadership is the leadership we want to support because he is very inclusive and works very hard.
"The slogan 'Sarawak First' reflects a clear mission to uplift the people's living standards through economic development," he said.
He stressed that the 'Sarawak First' motto should not be misconstrued as turning away from the rest of the country. Instead, it reflects a focused commitment to advancing Sarawak's socio-economic position through targeted development policies, infrastructure investment and economic growth initiatives.
While maintaining strong ties and cooperation with other states, the GPS government's priority remains to uplift the livelihoods of Sarawakians and close the gap in living standards with more developed regions.
'It doesn't mean we do not care for our friends all over the country. But our priority is to raise Sarawak's socio-economic standing," he said.