KOTA KINABALU: Differences in opinion should not be used as a justification for personal attacks.
Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak emphasised that politics should be founded on healthy discourse and ideas, rather than hatred.
“I respect the views of Daniel John Jambun (an NGO leader). However, it is inappropriate to label differing opinions as insults or betrayals.
“The political stability I refer to does not mean yielding to any party but rather fostering honest and sincere cooperation between Sabah and the Federal Government for the benefit of the people,’ he stated in a recent Facebook post.
Salleh, who is also the Usukan assemblyman, asserted that in a democratic practice, the people’s decisions through elections must be respected—whether they choose a local party, a national party, or a combination of both.
He noted that Sarawak has its own model, as does Sabah.
“We need to adopt an approach that is suitable for the context and political reality of Sabah, rather than merely imitating or outright rejecting any party,’ he remarked.
Salleh added that the struggle for Sabah’s rights must continue with a rational, mature approach grounded in reality, in line with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
