
Let Sabah be genuinely ruled by Sabahans – PBS leader
KOTA KINABALU (July 20): Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Vice President and Labuan Division Chief, Datuk Peter Mak Chun Vun, has urged Sabahans to unite in support of greater state autonomy, warning that failure to act could result in development stagnation—similar to concerns raised about Labuan.
Speaking at the joint Annual General Meeting of the PBS Api-Api, Luyang and Likas divisions at Hakka Hall, Mak stressed that meaningful progress in Sabah can only be achieved when the state regains full control over its governance and development agenda.
'Only Sabah's leaders and government truly understand the challenges faced by our grassroots communities. I speak from my experience as Division Chief of PBS Labuan for many years,' he said. 'We know the infrastructure we need and are committed to elevating Sabah to be on par with the more developed states in Malaysia.'
Mak clarified that the call for autonomy should not be seen as a rejection of the Federal Government.
Rather, it is a necessary step toward ensuring that development in Sabah is shaped by local priorities, not blanket national policies.
'Policies crafted across the sea often miss the mark when applied to Sabah. Our unique socio-economic and geographic realities require targeted, research-based approaches that can effectively address local issues,' he explained.
He also urged Sabahans to show solidarity in the upcoming state election by supporting Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which he said represents a strong and united local front capable of pushing for the full implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
'This election is critical. We need a strong state government — one that is grounded in the will of the people and prepared to demand what is rightfully ours under MA63,' he said. 'It's time for Sabah to reclaim its rights. The recognition of our autonomy is not merely a legal matter — it is the key to unlocking our true development potential.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)

Daily Express
18 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Prof: Sabah is still struggling on basic needs
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Nga highlighted that playing up issues of race, religion and region during elections, saying it risks dividing the people. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is still struggling to fulfil the basic needs of its people despite the nation having passed through various stages of development, said Social and Youth Policy expert of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Associate Professor Dr Janice Nga. She said input gathered during the recent Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) showed many Sabahans are still grappling with fundamental issues, those at the bottom tier of Maslow's hierarchy. 'This shows we're still lagging behind. It's not about fixing roads just before VIP visits and leaving them to fall apart later. 'If we are serious, we must ask: When will this road be completed? How many more communities will get basic utilities?' she said. She also pointed out that sincere leadership, not just plans, makes a difference, noting that Sarawak's progress came from administrative consistency and integrity. 'Sabah was ahead once, but now Sarawak has overtaken us because their leadership was consistent from the Chief Minister to the Premier. That's the key,' she said. Nga highlighted that playing up issues of race, religion and region during elections, saying it risks dividing the people. 'In Sabah, our issue isn't race or religion, but it's regionalism. We often hear 'Sabahan' versus 'non-Sabahan' being used like there are invisible borders within our own state,' she said. She also emphasised that some leaders fear empowering the rakyat, worrying that once people become self-reliant, they'll no longer need political crutches. 'There are leaders who want the rakyat to remain dependent. Because once united and independent, the people might no longer support them,' Nga said. Nga called for unity based on shared aspirations rather than identity politics and said sincerity should be the benchmark, not a leader's place of birth. 'If someone from the peninsula is genuine about helping Sabah, why not? Just like the Inpuma team that came not for personal gain, but to contribute,' she added. She urged the public not to fall for political rhetoric that undermines leadership integrity for the sake of votes. 'A good leader, no matter where they come from, they can bring good to Sabah,' she said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Daily Express
To secure constitutional rights Sabah must be like Sarawak: Jeffrey
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 Text Size: Dr Jeffrey (centre) at the Sarawak Independence Day Cultural Parade. BAU: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has issued a clarion call for Sabah to mirror Sarawak's successful model of political unity and assertive leadership in order to effectively safeguard its rights within the Malaysian Federation. Speaking at Sarawak's vibrant Independence Day Cultural Parade July 22, Jeffrey lauded Sarawak's cohesive political front and its confident engagement with Putrajaya. He highlighted Sarawak's achievement of having a Deputy Prime Minister as a direct result of this unified political strategy. Jeffrey, who is also President of the Borneo Dayak Forum (BDF), underscored the historical significance of July 22nd, 1963, Sarawak's self-governance day, and its pivotal role in the formation of Malaysia. He emphasized the symbolic weight of the '13' prefix in Sarawakian identity cards, representing Sarawak's unique status as a founding partner in the Federation, a status he argued has been progressively eroded since the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). He stressed that Sabah and Sarawak were not merely added states, but equal partners in a federation that has deviated from its original principles. Jeffrey commended Sarawak's leadership for its proactive approach in securing recognition of Sarawak Day as a public holiday and for its persistent, peaceful advocacy for its constitutional rights. He cited Sarawak's successful cultural events, such as the Independence Day parade, as powerful demonstrations of unity and state pride, serving as a model for all Borneans. He specifically praised Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for his leadership in this regard. Sarawak government officially gazetted July 22 as Sarawak Day, that is also widely referred to as Sarawak Independence Day, in 2016 under the leadership of then Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem who emphasized that Sarawak never 'joined' Malaysia but rather formed Malaysia together with Malaya, North Borneo (Sabah), and Singapore. The move was part of his broader push for Sarawak's autonomy, particularly in the context of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Sabah government gazetted Aug 31 as Sabah Day last year to commemorate the day in 1963 that the territory gained self-government after decades as a British crown colony. Jeffrey said with a fervent appeal for unity among Borneans, urging Sabah to learn from Sarawak's example and to celebrate its own historical milestones with similar vigour. He extended an invitation to Sarawakian leaders and friends to join in the Sabah Day celebrations in Kota Kinabalu next month. He expressed his hope for a future where Sabah and Sarawak fully reclaim their rightful positions as equal founding partners in Malaysia, as envisioned under the MA63. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Dewan Rakyat approves Auditor-General's Report 2/2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today approved the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2025 on the Activities of Ministries/Departments/Statutory Bodies/Federal Government Companies, which contains matters raised from audits on five programmes, activities, and projects across seven ministries. The motion on it, tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, was passed by a majority voice vote after being debated by 32 Members of Parliament. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran, when winding up debate for the department, clarified that the Auditor-General may be appointed from among public service officers. 'For the information of Honourable Members, Clause 1 of Article 105 of the Federal Constitution provides that the Auditor-General shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) on the advice of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. 'Referring to Article 105 read together with subparagraph 1(1) of the First Schedule to the Audit Act 1957 (Act 62), the Auditor-General may be appointed from among members of the public service, and such appointment is valid,' he said. Kulasegaran was responding to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), who had questioned the appointment of Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi as Auditor-General while she was still serving in the civil service. Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, during his winding-up speech for his ministry, said continuous improvements were being undertaken following LKAN's investigation into procurement management at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He said that since February 28, several measures have been taken to align with the Higher Education Strategic Direction 2025, including encouraging the Internal Audit Committee to take follow-up action after discovering that several procurement circulars previously used were outdated. 'For example, UKM was still referring to Treasury Procurement Circular 2.0 when it had already been updated to version 2.2. The Pre-Tender and Coordination Committees have also been dissolved, effectively ending their functions,' he said. Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, while responding on behalf of her ministry, said it had taken note of LKAN 2/2025's criticisms concerning FELCRA Berhad's oil palm estate performance. She explained that plantation yields could only be seen progressively, with three out of four estates having shown increased output and profits, including Estet Telupid in Sabah, and Sungai Rawit 2 and Aring estates in Kelantan. 'However, the current performance of one estate, Estet Dabong, has yet to reach the targeted level. This must be understood in light of unexpected factors, such as a shortage of skilled plantation workers and extreme weather affecting harvesting operations. 'Nevertheless, FELCRA has taken proactive measures, including increasing the number of harvesters and progressively repairing agricultural roads. Recovery efforts are expected to yield more positive results moving forward,' she said. During the winding-up session for the Ministry of Works, its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the contractor selection process for Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway Project was carried out through a selective pre-qualification open tender. He said this approach was vital to ensure that only companies with proven technical, financial, and experience capacity were awarded the large-scale, high-impact project. Nanta also acknowledged other challenges, including delays in land acquisition, utility relocation, and shortages of labour and construction materials, which had impacted project timelines. However, he said the ministry had taken improvement measures through engagements with relevant agencies. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, during the winding-up for his ministry, said that all comments and criticisms, including on procurement management, would be taken into account. The Dewan sits again today. - Bernama