KOTA KINABALU: John Stephen Dionysius, Supreme Council Member of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), commended the firm stance taken by the Chief Minister, who is also the Chairman of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), in declaring that GRS will contest solo in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17).
He described the recent joint statement by Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), issued under the name of the Secretariat Perpaduan, as an act of arrogance and a clear insult to the Chief Minister in his capacity as Chairman of GRS, as well as to Sabah-based parties that are also part of the Federal Government.
According to John, Sabah’s political stability must not be dictated by a federal seat-sharing formula involving parties from Malaya, now rebranding themselves as “national parties.”
“A good relationship with the Federation does not mean Sabah must simply follow instructions, much less allow national parties to take the lead while local parties are treated as mere tag-alongs,” he said.
He added that Sarawak has already rejected this federal political model at the state level, and that move has proven effective in strengthening its self-governance.
*BN and PH have offended Sabahans*
John also condemned the recent remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Chairman of BN, for describing “Sabah for Sabahans” as divisive and unhelpful. He said such remarks reflect a continuing divide-and-rule approach being imposed on Sabah and are deeply offensive to its people.
“Sabah for Sabahans” has long symbolised the people’s desire for self-determination and to be free from external control. It also reflects the continued demand for rights guaranteed under the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said.
He reminded the public that during the Kimanis by-election in 2020, the same Chairman of BN had vowed to fully implement MA63. “Now that he is in power, has that promise been fulfilled?” John asked.
He also expressed disappointment over Sabah Pakatan Harapan’s decision to withdraw its legal action regarding the state’s entitlement to 40 percent of federal revenue. That cause is now being pursued by the Sabah Law Society (SLS), a local non-governmental organisation.
“In light of these developments, who can the people of Sabah trust now?” he questioned.
John further voiced support for the recent statement by the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, who is also the President of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), asserting that it is time for the people of Sabah to determine their own direction in the upcoming PRN17.-pr/BNN
