By Bob Munang JP
KOTA KINABALU: To many, the decision by Sabah PH to withdraw its legal suit against the Federal Government was justified and seen as the right move, given the political realities at the federal level at that time.
It is worth recalling that UPKO had already joined PH prior to the 2022 general election, following its worst electoral performance in the 2020 Sabah State Election and the deteriorating relations with Warisan. The legal suit itself had been filed by Sabah PH leaders, led by Ewon Benedick, well before the 2022 general election.
When Prime Minister Ismail Sabri dissolved Parliament in 2022, there was widespread anxiety and fear of UMNO’s possible resurgence and return to power. Despite this, UPKO made a bold decision to align itself with PH as a coalition partner.
The 2022 general election resulted in a hung Parliament, shocking many Malaysians and plunging the country into political uncertainty. To resolve the deadlock, both Anwar and Muhyiddin were summoned by the Agong to discuss the formation of a new government.
In line with constitutional and parliamentary precedent under the Westminster system of which Malaysia adopts, the leader of the coalition with the most seats, in this case, Anwar, was given the first opportunity to form a government.
After meeting with leaders of the various political groups, Anwar successfully forged a broad-based coalition bringing together UMNO, GPS, GRS, and Warisan under one umbrella, which became known as the Unity Government and later renamed the Madani Government.
With PH now leading the Federal Government, the legal suit filed earlier by Sabah PH naturally became untenable. It made little practical or political sense to continue suing the very government in which Sabah PH was now a governing partner.
The more responsible and strategic path was to pursue Sabah’s rights through negotiation and political engagement rather than litigation.
In any functioning government, collective responsibility is a cornerstone principle. Once Ewon was appointed as a Federal Minister under the PH-led Madani Government, both UPKO and Sabah PH had a duty to act within this framework.
Continuing the suit would have been inconsistent with their role in government and could have weakened Sabah’s leverage in negotiations with the federal administration.
Therefore, the decision to withdraw the suit should not be seen as an act of weakness or betrayal, but as a pragmatic and strategic choice, one that recognised the new political realities and the opportunity to advance Sabah’s constitutional rights from within the government itself.
Unfortunately, the move has been politicised by opponents. Nevertheless, it is crucial for UPKO and Sabah PH leaders to continue explaining the people of Sabah that their decision was guided not by personal or partisan interest, but by political prudence and a sincere commitment to realise Sabah’s constitutional rights through constructive engagement and cooperation with the federal leadership.
Any party or leaders in the position of the Sabah PH leaders in respect of the legal suit against the Malaysia government would have done the same. That’s politics.
