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Borneo Post
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Salleh: Power must be shared, not controlled in Sabah politics
Salleh KOTA KINABALU (June 15): Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak has issued a strong reminder to political coalitions in the state: power must be shared fairly, not dominated by a single party. In a statement that underscores the importance of equality and mutual respect among coalition partners, Salleh said no party should act like it is the 'boss' of a coalition. 'In today's politics, no party should act like it's the boss of a coalition. Every party brings its own strength and deserves to be treated as an equal partner,' the Usukan assemblyman said on his Facebook page on Sunday. The Umno Sabah treasurer stressed that successful coalitions are built on shared leadership, collective responsibility, and fair representation not unilateral control. 'A good coalition is built on shared leadership and fair power-sharing — not control by one dominant party. All decisions, responsibilities and representation must be discussed and agreed together,' Salleh said. According to him, what matters most is having a common agenda that all partners support, particularly when it comes to development, good governance and defending Sabah's rights. While he acknowledged the importance of fairly representing Sabah's major communities, Bumiputera Muslim, non-Muslim Bumiputera, and non-Bumiputera, Salleh said that representation alone is not enough without real power-sharing among parties. 'Fair representation of Sabah's main communities is important, but that alone is not enough. Power must also be shared fairly among all coalition partners. Every party must have a real role and a fair say in shaping decisions,' he added. Salleh pointed out that Sabah's political strength lies in its diversity, and a stable coalition must reflect this reality. 'A strong coalition must reflect Sabah's diversity. Every group deserves a voice and a place at the table,' he said. He also emphasised that true stability comes from trust, fairness and inclusion. 'Stability comes from trust and fairness. When everyone feels respected and involved, the coalition becomes stronger and more united,' Salleh said. Calling for a shift in political mindset, he urged parties in Sabah to move away from outdated models of control and towards genuine teamwork. 'It's time to move beyond old ways of thinking. Sabah needs a coalition that works as a team, not one party calling all the shots while others are expected to just follow,' he said.
New Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Analyst: Split votes likely without unity among Malay, Bumiputera parties in Sabah
KUALA LUMPUR: A lack of cooperation among Malay or Bumiputera political parties in Sabah may result in split votes in the upcoming state election, an analyst has said. "If Umno and GRS end up in multi-cornered fights against Parti Warisan, Pakatan Harapan and other local parties, votes will be divided, making it more difficult for any coalition to secure a stable majority," said Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Datuk Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi. He said Sabah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's reluctance to immediately support cooperation with GRS should not necessarily be seen in a negative light. The analyst said Bung's hesitation reflected the current political landscape in Sabah, where trust, loyalty and grassroots strength remain crucial in forming a sustainable political coalition. "In this context, Bung is not outrightly rejecting collaboration, but signalling that any partnership must be based on political sincerity, fair power-sharing, and respect for Umno's role as a party that still commands considerable support among Bumiputera Muslim voters," he said. He added that Umno's history and grassroots influence further contributed to its strength. "Bung's stance simply shows that Umno deserves recognition as a strategic partner and is not a junior player in politics," he said. "For GRS, this statement serves as a reminder that forming a coalition without open dialogue, equality and mutual respect will not lead to long-term stability. "If GRS disregards Umno's voice, it risks losing access to the party's extensive grassroots network, particularly in rural areas," he added. However, the academic said the current situation also presents an opportunity for renegotiation. "Sabah Umno has the chance to push for a fairer agreement, including more balanced seat allocations and strategic positions in the state government if victorious," he said, adding that other parties also have an opportunity to build an equitable and sincere alliance with Umno.
