By: Angie S Chin (Lead – Vote Wisely Project&VP2 of CAMOS)
KOTA KINABALU: For generations, Sabahans have defended our identity and our rights with resilience and pride.
Yet today, Sabah stands more divided than ever before. Communities that once celebrated each other now argue over politics. Families are split over allegiances.
Youth wonder if their voices matter. Social media amplifies differences, while outside influences quietly push narratives that suit their own interests.
This division is a perfect opportunity for outsider powers to grip control over Sabah.
Slowly, subtly, our identity, our resources, and our future could be stripped from us — while we are too distracted arguing among ourselves to even notice.
What Happens When Sabah Relies on External Parties?
History shows that when political control is influenced by parties headquartered elsewhere, local priorities are often overshadowed because the decision-makers’ power base, networks, and interests exist far away.
When external parties dominate or heavily influence local parties, these risks emerge:
1. Local autonomy weakens – Policies designed in Putrajaya may not reflect the realities of Ranau, Penampang, Semporna, Nabawan, or Pitas.
2. Sabah becomes a vote bank, not a priority – Regions politically secure but geographically distant receive less strategic investment.
3. Leadership accountability is diluted – Local representatives may see themselves answerable to federal bosses instead of their voters.
4. Policy continuity becomes unstable – Every federal power shift change Sabah’s direction, regardless of local needs.
5. Long-term development suffers – Local parties acting as appendages of larger non-Sabahan parties rarely build lasting institutional capacity.
When outsiders dominate Sabah’s political landscape, Sabahans will gradually lose control of our own destiny.
Sabah Is Currently Severely Divided: Examples of the Risk
Families arguing over political loyalty while the real decisions are being made outside Sabah.
Youth disengaging from the political process, feeling unheard and ignored.
Communities debating religion, ethnicity, or district rivalries, often inflamed by narratives pushed externally rather than arising from real local issues.
Division weakens us. Unity protects Sabah.
Before Choosing Any “Local Party,” Watch These 5 Red Flags
Not all “local parties” are truly local. Some exist only to siphon votes, split the electorate, or serve as satellites for outsiders. Watch for:
1. External control – If donors or strategists sit in Peninsula or elsewhere, priorities will not be Sabah-first.
2. No clear long-term plan for Sabah – Parties focused on slogans without concrete policies are not ready to govern.
3. Frequent leadership changes, u-turns or installed leaders – Indicates influence from outside Sabah.
4. Candidates without community work – True local parties grow from the ground up, not parachute leaders.
5. Vote-splitting as a goal – Parties that appear only during election season dilute Sabahans’ collective voice.
The Postal Voting Reality: Silenced Voices
Over 200,000 Sabahans live outside the state, yet the federal government did not expand postal voting to include them. Only 22,881 postal ballots were processed — a fraction of those who should have had a voice.
This means 10% of Sabah’s electorate effectively lost their say — enough to swing crucial decisions.
Not because they didn’t care.
Not because they didn’t want to vote.
But because the system has failed them.
A healthy democracy cannot thrive when thousands of citizens are silenced.
And yet, this is exactly what happens when Sabahans are divided and disengaged: our future is now being shaped without us “knowing”.
How Sabahans Can Protect Our Future
Sabahans can avoid being trapped by divisive tactics and external influence by:
1. Seeing beyond slogans and labels – Actions matter more than names or appearances.
2. Checking for transparency and independence – Who controls the decisions? Who benefits from the division?
3. Valuing track record over promises – True leaders have histories of standing up for Sabah consistently and not just merely making announcements after announcements.
4. Rejecting fear and identity politics – Division benefits outsiders; unity protects us.
5. Prioritizing community and resources – Speak up when external interests override local needs.
The Choice is Ours
Every vote is more than a mark on a ballot paper — it is a voice, a shield, a claim to our future.
But our future will not wake up on its own. It must be claimed, protected, and fought for — together.
Sabahans, the time is now. Look clearly. Think deeply. Act wisely. Our vote is our voice. Our voice is our power. And our power, used wisely, will safeguard Sabah for generations to come.
