Masidi: ‘Sabah Tanah Airku' embodies spirit of Sabah's political struggle

Borneo Post

a day ago

Masidi, Gagasan Rakyat leaders, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) component members leaders and the delegates after the opening ceremony today.
KOTA KINABALU (July 26): Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) deputy president Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun has called on Sabahans to take inspiration from the state anthem 'Sabah Tanah Airku,' describing it as the soul of Sabah's political identity and the guiding force for its future.
Speaking at the opening of Gagasan Rakyat's Women, Youth, and Beliawanis joint annual convention here today, Masidi pushed back against persistent accusations of betrayal directed at Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leaders, saying that the final judgment belongs to the people.
'I will never betray the people of Sabah. I understand the hopes and aspirations of our people. What matters most is not what others say about us, but whether the rakyat believe we deserve to carry forward Sabah's mandate. And I believe we do,' he stressed.
Masidi pointed out that the message behind Sabah Tanah Airku, sung at every official function, encapsulates the very values GRS upholds: unity, pride, and relentless commitment to progress.
'The entire spirit of our political life, our love for Sabah, our dream for development, our hope for unity, is captured in that one song. When we say 'Sabah First,' it is not merely a slogan. It is the essence of who we are, and it comes directly from the mandate embedded in our anthem,' Masidi said.
He stressed that 'Sabah Maju Jaya' slogan frequently criticized by political opponents, is not a partisan catchphrase but a continuation of the aspirations laid out in the state anthem.
'When someone mocks or belittles 'Sabah Maju Jaya', what they are really doing is belittling their own state. They are mocking their own state anthem. Sabah Maju Jaya was not created by GRS. It is actually a part of our inherited history, and we must uphold it as the foundation of our effort and struggle.
'We want to always be independent, not just physically free, but mentally free. Free to think and determine what is best for Sabah. We do not want our thinking to be influenced by outside elements that make us lose our Sabahan identity. We want to remain Sabahans, with thoughts that are our own.
'And that is why we focus on local parties, because we want Sabah to develop based on its own model of progress. Not because someone else wants us to do this or that. Yes, we want to be friends with others, but we will make friends on our own terms, not on terms dictated by others. This is our struggle,' he stressed.
He also took aim at detractors who offer constant criticism without solutions, pointing out, 'People can talk, people can criticize. But there are those who are good at criticizing yet say very little about what their plans are to solve problems.
'I understand there is criticism every day, in the newspapers, in the State Assembly. That is true. But for me, it has reached a point where: 'What you say is your problem, not my problem.'
'Let's focus on what truly matters. We have a track record. What do the critics have to show for themselves? We are not here to silence criticism—we are here to deliver results. Let our work speak for us.'
With the state gearing up for the next election, he warned of the consequences of losing local control and GRS' achievements must be defended.
'That is why we must win this election. Because we want Sabah to progress, because we love Sabah, and we want these achievements to be multiplied in the future. We are not merely defending GRS' achievement, we are defending the future of our people, especially the younger generation.
'If we lose this government, others will take over. And if that happens, what will become of Sabah in 10 years? Will our youth still have a place? Will Sabahans still be in charge of Sabah?' he questioned.
'We are not just defending GRS' track record. We are defending the future of our people—especially our young ones. Sabah's future is too important to be handed away,' he said.
In a passionate conclusion, Masidi urged unity and focus.
'Let go of petty quarrels. Don't let small conflicts become walls that block big dreams. This is not about individual ambition. This is about ensuring Sabahans remain masters in their own homeland,' he said.
'You are the master. You own Sabah. Not someone else. We, the people of Sabah, must determine our future. No one else,' said Masidi. Gagasan Rakyat lead masidi manjun Sabah state election Sabah Tanah Airku