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Daily Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sabah parties must help realise Labuan's vision
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 Text Size: Jeffrey with Walther, Linggu, Stephen, Peter Mak and Harun Pudin. LABUAN: Political parties from Sabah operating here must work together to achieve the shared goal of realising the vision for Labuan that was hoped for when the island was handed over to become a Federal Territory in 1984. Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the current situation in Labuan is far from the original expectations. 'In fact, Labuan, once a duty-free island, no longer enjoys the same duty-free status as it once did. 'This concern is based on fact. Even former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh, who was the architect behind Labuan's handover as a Federal Territory, has acknowledged that his original objective for Labuan has failed,' he said Dr Jeffrey when launching the Star Labuan Division. Jeffrey emphasised that since 1984, the hope was for Labuan to be developed economically, creating ample job opportunities and increasing income levels for its people. 'Back then in 1984, the entire Borneo region hoped Labuan would become a catalyst for development in Sabah and Sarawak,' he added. Jeffrey, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I, noted that the changes in Labuan have strayed far from the original 1984 aspirations. Instead, the culture and traditions of some Labuan residents — who were once part of Sabah — have been 'Malay-ised.' 'Today, some Labuan residents feel sidelined in the Federal Territory's administration. They want to be involved in policy-making and implementation,' he said. According to Jeffrey, the concerns being raised are not out of anger or resentment but simply calls for positive changes that would make Labuan a source of pride for all. He added that this is precisely why Star established its division in Labuan. Through cooperation with fellow component parties under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, the aim is for Labuan's politics to one day be led and managed by Sabah-based parties. 'This issue has also been raised in Parliament. I myself have repeatedly called for the restoration of Labuan's duty-free status, but unfortunately, our pleas have yet to be heard,' he said. Some 500 people attended the event. Also present were Star Secretary-General Senator Datuk Edward Linggu, Labuan Star Coordinator Datuk Kapitan Stephen Teo, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Labuan Division Chief Datuk Peter Mak and Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) Deputy Division Chief Dr Harun Pudin. * 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
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sabah-based parties must unite to revive 1984 Labuan's original vision – Jeffrey
Jeffrey with Walther, Linggu, Stephen, Peter Mak and Harun Pudin. LABUAN (July 28): Political parties from Sabah operating in Labuan must work together to achieve the shared goal of realizing the vision for Labuan that was hoped for when the island was handed over to become a Federal Territory in 1984. President of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) Sabah and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G Kitingan, said the current situation in Labuan is far from the original expectations. In fact, Labuan, once a duty-free island, no longer enjoys the same duty-free status as it once did. 'This concern is based on fact. even former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh, who was the architect behind Labuan's handover as a Federal Territory, has acknowledged that his original objective for Labuan has failed,' he said. Jeffrey emphasized that since 1984, the hope was for Labuan to be developed economically, creating ample job opportunities and increasing income levels for its people. 'Back then in 1984, the entire Borneo region hoped Labuan would become a catalyst for development in Sabah and Sarawak,' he added. Jeffrey made these remarks at the launching ceremony of STAR's Labuan Division on Saturday, which was attended by Secretary-General Senator Datuk Edward Linggu, Labuan STAR coordinator Datuk Kapitan Stephen Teo, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Labuan Division chief Datuk Peter Mak, and Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) deputy division chief Dr Harun Hj Pudin. During the event, which drew around 500 attendees, STAR Labuan Division chief Walther Philip Michael expressed that the administration in the Federal Territory of Labuan does not fully represent the interests of all ethnic groups, particularly the native Sabahans whose customs are protected under traditional ordinances. Jeffrey noted that the changes in Labuan have strayed far from the original 1984 aspirations. Instead, the culture and traditions of some Labuan residents — who were once part of Sabah — have been 'Malay-ised.' 'Today, some Labuan residents feel sidelined in the Federal Territory's administration. They want to be involved in policy-making and implementation,' he said. According to Jeffrey, the concerns being raised are not out of anger or resentment but are simply calls for positive changes that would make Labuan a source of pride for all. He added that this is precisely why STAR established its division in Labuan. Through cooperation with fellow component parties under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, the aim is for Labuan's politics to one day be led and managed by Sabah-based parties. 'This issue has also been raised in Parliament. I myself have repeatedly called for the restoration of Labuan's duty-free status, but unfortunately, our pleas have yet to be heard,' he stated. Jeffrey concluded that Sabahans in Labuan have urged STAR to act as a voice for their concerns and to propose ideas that would lead to a more developed and inclusive Labuan.
Borneo Post
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Let Sabah be genuinely ruled by Sabahans – PBS leader
Peter Mak 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.'
Daily Express
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sabahans urged to back local governance
Published on: Sunday, July 20, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 20, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice president Datuk Peter Mak ( pic ) has urged Sabahans to unite in support of greater state autonomy to ensure the state's development keeps pace with the rest of the country. Speaking at the PBS Api-Api, Luyang and Likas joint AGM, he said meaningful progress is possible only when Sabah has full control over its own affairs. Advertisement Mak said local leaders are better placed to understand and address community needs, drawing from his experience leading PBS in Labuan. He clarified that the autonomy push should not be viewed as anti-Federal, but rather a step toward development driven by local priorities and realities. He also called on voters to support Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the upcoming state election, saying a strong mandate is essential to uphold Sabah's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (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
