By Daniel John Jambun
Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
KOTA KINABALU: Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) takes note of the statement by Salleh Said Keruak calling for UMNO to “review its role” in Sabah.
We respond with one clear position:
This is not a moment for reflection.
This is a moment for reckoning.
1. MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF POWER — WHAT IS THE RESULT?
UMNO, through Barisan Nasional, held dominant control of Sabah from 1994 to 2018.
After more than 20 years in power, Sabah today stands as:
among the poorest regions in Malaysia
structurally underdeveloped in rural districts
heavily dependent on federal discretion
If this is the outcome of long-term governance, then the question is simple:
What did UMNO actually deliver?
2. CORRUPTION WAS NOT AN EXCEPTION — IT BECAME A SYSTEM
Sabah did not merely experience corruption.
Sabah experienced the normalization of it.
From major scandals to daily governance failures, institutions were weakened and accountability eroded.
This is not governance.
This is systemic failure.
3. PROJECT IC — THE ISSUE THAT DEFINES THE CRISIS
No review is credible without confronting:
Project IC.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry confirmed serious irregularities in identity documentation.
Yet today:
no full accountability
no transparent implementation
no closure for Sabah
This is not administrative.
This is about:
demographic integrity
electoral legitimacy
sovereignty of Sabah
4. IMPORTED POLITICS, IGNORED REALITY
UMNO must confront a deeper truth:
Its political model was never designed for Sabah.
UMNO’s core framework is built around:
Ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy narrative)
religious-political positioning as a tool of power
But Sabah is not Peninsular Malaysia.
Sabah is:
multi-ethnic
multi-religious
founded on coexistence, not dominance
Let us be clear:
Sabah’s crisis today is not caused by lack of identity politics.
Sabah’s crisis is caused by lack of development, governance, and fairness.
When politics is focused on who controls identity,
development becomes secondary.
And Sabah paid the price.
5. DO NOT ASK FOR A SECOND CHANCE WITHOUT ANSWERING FOR THE FIRST
Calling for a “review” is politically convenient.
But Sabah does not suffer from lack of reflection.
Sabah suffers from lack of responsibility.
Before speaking of the future, UMNO must answer:
Why does Sabah remain poor after decades under your control?
Why were corruption scandals allowed to flourish?
Why were RCI findings not implemented?
Without answers, this is not reform.
This is rebranding.
6. SABAH HAS MOVED ON — REJECT POLITICS THAT DIVIDE AND DELIVER NOTHING
Sabah in 2026 is no longer the Sabah of the past.
The people are more aware.
The issues are clearer.
Sabahans must now decide:
Do we continue with politics based on:
identity dominance
centralised control
recycled promises
Or do we move forward with politics based on:
development
accountability
equal partnership under MA63
CONCLUSION: SABAH MUST NOT RETURN TO A FAILED MODEL
BoPiMaFo states firmly:
Sabah cannot afford to return to a political model that has already failed it.
This is not about rejecting any race or religion.
This is about rejecting a system that:
prioritised power over people
narrative over results
control over development
“SABAH DESERVES DEVELOPMENT — NOT DOMINANCE.”
“SABAH DESERVES ACCOUNTABILITY — NOT EXCUSES.”
