KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Salleh Said Keruak has emphasised that political arrangements between UMNO and PAS effective in Peninsular Malaysia should not be assumed to work in Sabah.
He warned that imposing such alliances could backfire if seen as driven by Peninsular-centric interests.
Salleh, who serves as Sabah UMNO treasurer, stressed that UMNO in Sabah should position itself as a national party that recognizes local dynamics and collaborates primarily with homegrown parties, especially the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
“The key priorities must be clear: political stability, development, Sabah’s rights, and the well-being of its people,” he wrote in a recent Facebook post.
“Just because we are one nation doesn’t mean we need a single political or electoral model across all regions,” he added.
While unity between Malay-based parties like UMNO and PAS may resonate electorally in Peninsular Malaysia, Salleh noted that Sabah and Sarawak function within distinct political landscapes.
He pointed to the 2025 Sabah State Election as evidence: GRS secured 29 out of 73 seats, while Warisan won 25.
Together, these locally rooted parties claimed 54 seats—nearly 75% of the State Assembly.
In contrast, BN managed only six seats, and PN won just one. PH also faced a significant setback, taking only one seat out of the 20 it contested.
“The takeaway is unmistakable,” Salleh said. “Sabah voters are increasingly guided by concerns over state autonomy, development, and the protection of Sabah’s rights.”
