By Datuk James Ligunjang, former Petagas assemblyman
KOTA KINABALU: The presence of so many political parties competing for power in Sabah—more than 14, I believe—reflects the deep challenges of disunity among the people of Sabah. The intense and oftentimes toxic accusations against each other have fostered an atmosphere of insecurity, revealing the vulnerabilities of Sabahans, who can be easily manipulated by dominant parties from Malaya seeking to fulfil their hegemonic intentions to take over the administration and control of our beloved state.
These Malayan political parties aim to assert dominance over the political landscape of Sabah, with intentions that threaten to undermine our sovereignty and exploit our rich resources for the prosperity of Malaya rather than for the benefit of our own people. We must be vigilant and recognise this reality as a call to action for all Sabahans.
Patriotism runs deep in our hearts, and the urgency for unity has never been more critical. Now is the time to come together as proud Sabahans, embracing our shared identity, culture, and heritage. Our destiny is in our own hands, and to relinquish control of it would only prolong the cycle of backwardness and poverty that we have long endured.
Let us seize this moment to stand united, not as factions divided by political ambitions, but as one people determined to protect our land and secure a prosperous future for all Sabahans.
Unite Sabahans! Together, we can harness our collective strength and ensure that the glory of Sabah shines brightly on the faces of our people.
