KOTA KINABALU: The political landscape in Sabah is characterised by a lack of unity and coherence as various local and peninsula-based parties compete for power and influence.
This complexity weakens the state government’s position within the broader political dynamics with Putrajaya, as stated by former Petagas assemblyman Datuk James Ligunjang.
The presence of numerous political parties results in a multitude of voices and interests, making it difficult to present a united front in negotiations with the federal government.
“This is particularly challenging when it comes to issues such as Sabah’s rights and autonomy, as outlined in the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said in his latest social media post.
Ligunjang emphasizes that political fragmentation undermines the state’s bargaining power on matters like power devolution, control over natural resources, immigration, and state rights that have yet to be fully honored in accordance with the spirit of MA63.
To address this, Ligunjang believes it is crucial for Sabah’s leaders to consolidate political power and establish a clearer consensus in order to strengthen the state government’s negotiation position.
However, he said the influence of Malayan political parties in Sabah, where party allegiances can change and coalition politics are common, complicates this goal.
In light of this situation, Ligunjang suggests that Sabahans must carefully navigate this political challenge both within the state and in relation to the central government in Kuala Lumpur.
“It is imperative for local parties to collaborate and present unified stances on key issues that affect the state’s rights and interests.
By doing so, they can work towards achieving more equitable and beneficial outcomes for the people of Sabah and future generations,” he added.
