By Social Activist Remy Majangkim
KOTA KINABALU:?”Sailang!” means to give your all, to go all out 100%. There is no direct translation for it in Mandarin, Teo Chew, Hakka, or Hokkien; it is a unique slang term from Sabah.
As we approach the upcoming state election, the struggle for power and entitlement is becoming increasingly evident. PRN candidates lobbying for positions within the party.
New political parties are emerging that promise to have representatives from all races, though they may not be the best-qualified candidates.
Candidates did not discuss policy, which they should, as a politician’s main duty is to create policies for the benefit of the State. There is an inclination to win at all costs and obtain projects from the federal or state government.
These are not unpretentious politicians but rather contractor politicians. Promises were made during the election but vanished afterwards, and a vicious cycle plagued Sabahan politics. The real losers in this predicament are voters who voted them into position.
On 5 January 2025, I had an opportunity to ask the Deputy President of Warisan, Datuk Darell Leiking, about specific issues during their Christmas and New Year Celebration. “Would Warisan consider reinstating Article 6(7) of the State Constitution?” he said with a resounding yes, and it is part of their manifesto.
In the same event, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal noted that he had extended his hands to cooperate with other political parties but was rejected outright.
Interestingly, Article 6(7) is a deeming provision that should guide the Sabah TYT in selecting the new Chief Minister coming from the head of a political party that won a majority of the seats. Historically, this provision was authored by Parti Bersatu Sabah to stop their members from jumping to another party.
Bridget Welsh, Associate Professor of Political Science at Singapore Management University, “nailed it” on her analysis of Sabah’s new political landscape. She asserts that the resurgence of retro politics symbolises the return of established practices and figures to their previous positions of influence.
External issues affecting the nations also influence voters in the upcoming Sabah 17th State election. It is essential for all of us to work together towards a commitment to eliminate corruption and address the concerns regarding alleged corrupt practices within this administration.
In times of uncertainty and when hope feels distant, I find encouragement in the words of Jeremiah 29:11. They remind me that there’s always a plan in place, guiding us toward a brighter future.
