Campaigning is in full swing in Sabah, Malaysia. More than 1.7m voters head to the polls on Saturday

Key Concepts

• Sabah State Election: An upcoming election in the Malaysian state of Sabah to determine its leadership for the next five years.
• Self-Determination: The desire of Sabahans for greater autonomy and control over their state's affairs.
• Revenue Share: The ongoing dispute over Sabah's entitlement to 40% of the revenue generated from its oil and gas resources by the federal government.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Poor public services in Sabah, including power outages, water disruptions, and frequent flooding.
• Federal vs. State Government Relations: Tensions and resentments stemming from the perceived neglect and interference by the federal government in Sabah's governance.
• Coalition Politics: The formation of alliances between different political parties to contest the election.

Sabah State Election Campaign

The state of Sabah in northern Borneo is currently in the midst of an intense election campaign. Over 1.7 million voters are set to cast their ballots this Saturday to elect the state's leadership for the next five years. A central theme resonating across the state is the call for unity and enhanced self-determination, encapsulated in slogans like "From Sabah first, Sabah for Sabahans" and "Justice for Sabah."

Key Issues and Public Resentment

Despite contributing significantly to Malaysia's oil and gas resources, Sabah remains one of the country's poorest states. This economic disparity fuels widespread frustration among Sabahans regarding the dilapidated state of public infrastructure. Specific grievances include frequent power cuts, persistent water supply disruptions, and perennial flooding, affecting areas from Tawau on the east coast to Kota Kinabalu in the west.

This public discontent is largely directed at the incumbent state government, led by Chief Minister Noor. His Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition has formed an alliance with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan coalition to contest all 73 state seats.

Shafie Abdal's Bid for Re-election

Former Chief Minister Shafie Abdal, aged 68, is seeking to capitalize on this rising resentment towards the federal government to reclaim leadership of the state. His tenure, which began in 2018, was cut short by the defection of several state assemblymen to the then Perikatan Nasional federal government.

Shafie Abdal expressed deep emotion when discussing Sabah's long-standing failure to secure its rightful 40% share of revenue from the federal government, a claim that has persisted for six decades. He questioned the necessity of legal battles to assert constitutional rights, stating, "The fundamental questions why do we have to bring it to court to demand for our right which is spelled out in the constitution. I mean can the government central government just realize the need for them to fulfill what has been spelled out in the constitution."

Priorities and Governance

When asked about his priorities should he return as Chief Minister, Shafie Abdal emphasized the need for a "clean government" as a top priority. He acknowledged that blame for Sabah's issues cannot be solely placed on the central government in Kuala Lumpur ("KL"), stating, "We can't blame KL central government 100%. I mean it is also boiled down into our own leadership too." He also highlighted concerns about excessive federal interference in Sabah's governance, advocating for greater autonomy: "There's too much interference in sub way of how we govern the state. So what is important for us you know let us just govern you know at the federal level we can give you 100% support whoever is the government in the day."

Electoral Landscape

Shafie Abdal is urging all ethnic groups to unite in rejecting federally based parties. His party, Bersatu, is contesting all 73 seats in what is described as a "super crowded and fiercely contested race." He remains quietly confident in his party's ability to form the next state government.

Conclusion

The Sabah state election is characterized by a strong undercurrent of local identity and a demand for greater autonomy and equitable resource distribution. Voters are grappling with issues of infrastructure, economic disparity, and the historical relationship with the federal government. Former Chief Minister Shafie Abdal is positioning himself as a champion for Sabah's rights, promising clean governance and an end to federal interference, while navigating a complex and competitive electoral landscape.