By Daniel John Jambun, President Borrneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
KOTA KINABALU: Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) takes note of recent remarks by Armizan Mohd Ali, Deputy Secretary-General of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), calling for Sabah and Sarawak to form a united bloc ahead of the forthcoming General Election.
On principle, BoPiMaFo agrees that Sabah and Sarawak possess significant parliamentary weight. With 57 seats collectively, the Borneo states can become decisive in a closely contested Parliament — as demonstrated following the 2022 Malaysian general election.
However, numbers alone do not create leverage.
Leverage requires independence, clarity of agenda, and negotiating courage.
BoPiMaFo is concerned that calls for a “united Borneo bloc” ring hollow if Sabah’s political leadership remains structurally dependent on West Malaysian-based coalitions and federal patronage networks.
Sabah cannot credibly claim kingmaker status while:
* Avoiding firm, time-bound demands on the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63);
* Remaining cautious in asserting constitutional rights relating to revenue entitlement and petroleum governance;
* Continuing political alignments that dilute Sabah’s bargaining autonomy.
Unity is not a slogan to be invoked during election cycles.
It must be demonstrated through institutional discipline and constitutional positioning before votes are cast.
Sarawak’s relative cohesion stems from consistent local-party dominance and a clear negotiating framework with the Federal Government. Sabah, by contrast, has yet to institutionalise a unified, cross-party Sabah-first platform that is binding on its Members of Parliament.
BoPiMaFo therefore urges Sabah’s leaders to move beyond rhetoric and publicly commit to:
1. A written, non-negotiable Borneo agenda prior to GE16;
2. A clear position on the 40% net revenue entitlement under Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution;
3. Constitutional clarity on petroleum governance affecting Sabah;
4. A collective undertaking that federal support will be conditional upon measurable progress on these matters.
Without these commitments, talk of becoming a decisive bloc risks becoming political branding rather than structural reform.
Sabah does not lack seats.
Sabah lacks enforceable political unity.
If Sabah is to stand as an equal partner within the Federation, its leaders must first demonstrate that they are prepared to negotiate from a position of constitutional strength — not political dependency.
BoPiMaFo reiterates that Borneo’s leverage is real.
But leverage unused, or used timidly, is leverage surrendered.
