KUCHING: The outcome of the recent Sabah election sends a clear signal about voters’ desire to see the state chart its own political direction.
Speaking to reporters after attending a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing involving the Sarawak government, Sarawak Teachers’ Aspirations Organisation and Arc Technologies Sdn Bhd at Dewan Santapan, DUN Sarawak today, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the results reflected a strong sentiment on the ground throughout the campaign period.
Sagah, who is also Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister, said the polls revealed that Sabahans want leadership rooted within Sabah itself, a message that became increasingly evident as the votes were tallied.
“What happened, I believe, was due to the desire of the people of Sabah. During the campaign, we heard a lot about the push for Sabah to be led by Sabahans,” he said.
He added that the results also highlighted a noticeable shift away from Makayan-based political parties.
“I think it shows that the people of Semenanjung don’t have to come to Sarawak and Sabah.
“We only have one political party left, Democratic Action Party (DAP),” he said, noting the reduced presence of such parties.
Sagah said the message from voters was clear, but it was up to the public to interpret the broader implications.
“We see it clearly. But the people also need to see it clearly. So it is up to the people to understand what’s happening. It’s politics,” he added.
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) won 29 seats to emerge as the most successful party in the 17th Sabah state election.
Parti Warisan won the second-highest number of seats with 25, followed by Barisan Nasional with six seats and independent candidates with five seats.
United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) secured three seats, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) won two, while Perikatan Nasional, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) and Pakatan Harapan each took one seat.
A total of 1,148,476 people, or 64.35 per cent of registered voters, cast their ballots in the election.
