By Angie S. Chin
KOTA KINABALU: Two cars. Six placards. Four women with one shared conviction: Sabah deserves better.
This is the heartbeat of Vote Wisely, a grassroots movement quietly turning heads across the state. It began as a spark in the mind of Angie S. Chin — founder of an impact travel platform and proud Sabahan living in Kuala Lumpur.
Like so many Sabahans living far from home, Angie watched helplessly as her WhatsApp groups filled with manipulated videos, fake news, and empty promises as the state election drew near.
“Sabah has been denied its rights for over 60 years,” Angie says.
“We have endured corruption, abuse of power, and the heavy hand of control from Peninsular Malaysia. I wanted to do something that would make people stop, think, and talk — something real.”
Her idea was simple, but daring: drive across Sabah and stand silently, holding placards that read Vote Wisely, Reject Corruption, Say No to Parties Controlled by Peninsular Leaders, Don’t Sell Your Vote.
Angie gathered three other brave souls — Willva Freddy (educator), Anna Matin (retiree), and Syafiqah Izzan (insurance agent) — who believed in the cause as deeply as she did. With their own savings, one trusty Myvi, a rented Proton Bezza, and hearts full of hope, they hit the road.
From Kinarut to Tenom, Sipitang to Keningau, Kudat to Kota Belud, Tambunan to Ranau, Kiulu, Tuaran, Telipok, and finally Kota Kinabalu — they stood in tamus, on roundabouts, and by roadsides, rain or shine, sometimes for an hour at a time. Even as floods and landslides struck Sabah, the four women pressed on.
They carried with them what they called their “Box of Hope.” At every stop, they asked one question:
“If you could be Chief Minister today, what three things would you do for Sabah?”
The answers were raw, emotional, and full of yearning — proof that Sabahans are ready for change.
These responses will soon be framed and presented to the next Chief Minister as a living reminder of the people’s voice.
But their journey was far from easy. In Tenom, they faced angry political supporters. In Ranau, they were challenged by a police officer and made to wait nearly an hour.
“We don’t mind showing our ICs,” Angie says, “but when he insisted on photographing us with them, we felt violated and insulted. Still, we stood our ground — and we kept going.”
There were no sponsors, no banners, no big machinery behind them — only determination and grit. The women stayed at friends’ homes to save money, mapped their routes each night, and checked the weather every morning.
“Every honk we received from passing cars felt like a small victory,” Angie recalls. “Every thumbs-up reminded us that Sabahans are paying attention.”
This was not just a road trip — it became a mirror reflecting Sabah’s political heartbeat. The team learned that most people still vote for leaders who are present during crises, not just campaign season. Younger voters, however, are seeking capable, trustworthy candidates who offer real solutions — proof that Sabah is ready to move past old loyalties and politics of lineage.
To give voters a tool for better choices, Angie also launched VoteSabah.com, a free platform where voters can check the existing ADUNs’ track records and controversies.
“Our biggest takeaway is this: it doesn’t take a huge team to start change,” Angie says.
“We may have been just four women with six placards, but we lit a spark. Some people didn’t like it, and that’s okay — because change always makes someone uncomfortable. What matters is that more Sabahans now have something to think about before they vote.”
With the 17th Sabah State Election drawing near, Angie has one plea to her fellow Sabahans:
“Don’t make the same mistakes again. Vote wisely. Choose leaders who show up, who fight for Sabah’s rights, and who carry your hopes — not just their own ambitions.”
“We hope this becomes a ripple that grows into a wave,” she adds. “Sabah has been denied for too long. This is our call to action — to vote wisely, not emotionally, and to choose leaders who will truly fight for Sabah.”
To follow their journey and join the conversation, visit their TikTok channel @vote.sabah — because change begins with you.
