Nurul Izzah's 13-seat demand disregards local autonomy - STAR Sabah
Anuar
KOTA KINABALU (May 26): Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR Sabah) has expressed strong objections to recent remarks made by PKR Deputy President Nurul Izzah Anwar, who announced her party's intention to contest at least 13 seats in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17).
STAR Sabah views this move as a direct challenge to the political autonomy of Sabah said its information chief, Anuar Ghani.
He said the demand for 13 seats by a Peninsular-based party implies a continued perception of Sabah as a political colony, rather than an equal partner in the Malaysian Federation. This undermines the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which affirms Sabah's right to determine its own political direction.
According to Anuar, Sabah is not a testing ground for outside political machinery.
The party further criticizes Nurul Izzah's statement regarding the deployment of campaign teams from Selangor, Johor and Penang to Sabah, calling it intrusive and disrespectful to local sentiments.
'Sabah is not a political laboratory for Peninsular parties,' said Anuar. 'Sending in outside machinery shows a lack of sensitivity and reinforces the perception that national parties continue to undermine local leadership.'
STAR Sabah also questioned the basis for PKR's seats claim, noting that the party previously won only two out of the 10 seats it contested in the last Sabah State election.
'To now demand 13 seats despite such a record reflects not only overreach but a lack of understanding of Sabah's evolving political landscape,' Anuar added. Some Sabahans say, 'Big ambition, Tamaha juga!'
The party stressed that PRN17 is a state election, not a general election, and that priority must be given to Sabah-based parties who have long worked at the grassroots level, understood local issues, and maintained consistent engagement with the people.
STAR Sabah reaffirms the principle of Borneonisation – enshrined in the 1962 Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and the MA63 – as a guiding doctrine for Sabah's governance.
'The right to self-govern, especially in public administration, must logically extend to the political realm. Sabahans have the right to reject external political dominance and chart their own course' said Anuar.
STAR Sabah challenged PKR to name the specific 13 seats they intend to contest.
'Are they targeting seats currently held by local parties? Sabahans deserve transparency. We must know whether these demands will come at the expense of local political strength' Anuar concluded.
STAR Sabah urges all Sabahans to stand united and support local parties that are committed to protecting Sabah's rights, identity, and future within the Federation of Malaysia.
The division and disunity at PKR national level politics is viewed with grave concern by the people of Sabah.
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