By social activist Remy Majangkim
KOTA KINABALU: The Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) was officially inaugurated on April 10, 2025, in a ceremonial event graced by the newly appointed Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT) Tun Musa Aman.
The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as dignitaries and guests gathered to witness the beginning of a new legislative session.
The government is headed by Datuk Hajiji Noor, and the opposition is led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
This moment is significant in the political landscape and prepares the way for important discussions and decisions in the upcoming months.
Many significant issues require immediate attention from both parties. The need for improved basic infrastructure, such as water supply, reliable electricity, and better roads, is critical.
However, the responsibility lies with the ruling government of the day to ensure these basic needs are met.
As the state election looms closer, we need a political revival. Any plans hatched up during this year will not affect the people in the short term.
It requires revamping the whole system and priorities. So the attention now focuses on the next state government.
Local political parties such as Warisan and KDM will be going solo; this may represent the unity of both voters from the interior and east coast of Sabah.
Warisan has track records in rejuvenating and claiming our lost rights within 22 months, while KDM shows impressive track records from the Bahanda Brothers in Parliament.
In the current administration, the GRS components play a delay tactic whilst dealing with the federal government; some warrant that Sabah needs a new deal to replace the Malaysia Agreement.
As a reminder, the GRS government is a remnant of the failed Perikatan Nasional (PN) that plunged Malaysia into an economic and constitutional crisis between 2020 and 2023.
Their repeated exposure to corruption has reached its height.
Barisan Nasional, led by Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Mokhtar Radin.
He asserts that the party is open to collaborating with any local political groups, which raises questions and fosters speculation about the strategic intentions behind these alliances.
The focus is on the Chinese voters primarily located in the cities of Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Sandakan, and Tawau, which are predominantly represented by the peninsula-based party, PKR-DAP.
There has been a significant call for local parties to take charge of the state, similar to the approach of the Sarawak government, which emphasises local representation. The question remains: will you step up and meet us halfway?
The 2025 Sabah State Election presents a pivotal opportunity to reflect on previous missteps, allowing us to learn from our past to forge a more promising future.
This election not only invites us to acknowledge errors by the previous administration but also empowers us to make meaningful changes as we strive for progress or not.
The power lies in the people, and your vote matters.
