Daniel John Jambun, President Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS)
KOTA KINABALU: Warisan’s expansion into West Malaysia is not about personal ambition — it is about ensuring that the few hundred thousand Sabah citizens who live, work, and study in the peninsula are not forgotten, ignored, or left voiceless.
Critics who attack this move fail to recognise a simple truth: Sabah First means all Sabahans, whether they are in Kota Belud, Kota Kinabalu, Selangor, or Johor. Our reach may now be national, but our heart remains firmly in Sabah.
It is worth reminding the public that Norazlinah Arif, a former Warisan Assemblyman, rose to political office under the Warisan flag and influence. Today she sits comfortably under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) — a government riddled with corruption, scandal, and shameless submission to Malayan political masters. Her defection was not an act of principle, but an act of political self-preservation. A leader with true dignity would rather fight from the opposition bench than sell their soul to a corrupt regime for position and favour.
Rather than standing shoulder to shoulder with her brothers and sisters in defending Sabah’s dignity and rightful share of resources, she chose the easy path — pleading with the federal government and turning a blind eye to the struggles of her own people. This is not leadership; it is political opportunism at the expense of the very state she once pledged to serve.
On the “Shafie for Prime Minister” Smear
On the accusation that Warisan’s expansion is merely a strategy for Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to project himself as Prime Minister — let us be clear: this is nothing but political propaganda. Even if it were true, what exactly is wrong with that? Are Sabahans and Sarawakians supposed to accept that only West Malaysian leaders are fit to lead this nation?
The Federal Constitution places no such restriction — it does not say that the Prime Minister’s chair is reserved exclusively for leaders from the Peninsula. Sabah and Sarawak are equal partners in the formation of Malaysia. There is no shame — and there should be great pride — in having a capable leader from East Malaysia step forward to serve the whole country. Those who mock this idea are not defending Sabah’s dignity; they are reinforcing the colonial mindset that has kept East Malaysia politically sidelined for decades.
Our Mission Has Never Wavered
From the start, Warisan’s mission has been clear — to protect Sabah’s rights under MA63, defend our resources, and uphold the pride and dignity of our people. Establishing branches in Johor, Selangor, and other states is a strategic way to connect with our people where they are, to keep them informed of our vision, and to unite Sabahans across Malaysia.
Sabahans in the peninsula are part of our state’s story and future. Many have left home to seek education or employment but remain deeply connected to Sabah’s struggles — from fighting for fair revenue distribution to challenging policies that marginalise our state. Warisan’s expansion ensures that no Sabahan is left behind in our political struggle.
Those attacking our expansion conveniently ignore the facts: hundreds of thousands of Sabahans live, work, and study in the peninsula. Are they less Sabahan simply because they have crossed the South China Sea? Should they be abandoned to be courted only by parties from Malaya? We say no.
We reject the notion that fighting for Sabah’s rights must be confined to our shores. To win the battles that matter — whether it’s 40% revenue, oil and gas control, or the defence of our land — we must be present and organised wherever decisions are made. Sometimes that means being in the room, not shouting from outside the door.
Warisan will never apologise for defending Sabahans everywhere. We are, and will remain, a party born in Sabah, rooted in Sabah, and fighting for Sabah — whether that fight takes place in Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, or any corner of Malaysia where Sabahans live.
Those who fear this strategy should ask themselves one question: Do you want a party that waits for change, or a party that goes where it must to bring that change home?
