Borneo S Anti Federal Sentiment A New Political Reality

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 Anti-federal sentiment in Sabah and Sarawak has evolved into a coherent political identity.
Both states now speak increasingly of autonomy and self-determination - a stance shaped by decades of perceived neglect, unequal development, and unfulfilled promises from Putrajaya.
But Sabah and Sarawak are not the same, and neither resembles Peninsular Malaysia. Even the peninsula itself is fragmented into distinct political cultures. This complexity is reshaping national politics in ways federal leaders have yet to fully grasp.
From the Sabah election results, the shift is unmistakable: peninsula-based parties have lost their footing almost entirely. PAS’ single-seat win was a fluke unlikely to repeat. PKR only won one seat out of the 13 it contested.
Meanwhile, DAP - once seen as the default choice for Chinese voters - now faces an uncertain future in Borneo’s political landscape.
DAP’s defeat among Chinese voters was particularly telling. The defeat was summed up in something repeatedly heard on the ground: “Surprised, but they deserved it.”
DAP candidates and party veteran Lim Kit Siang campaigning in SabahFreed from the fear of empowering PAS - a fear that still shapes Chinese voting behaviour in Peninsular Malaysia - Sabah’s Chinese electorate voted without hesitation. Their rejection of DAP was not ideological but a clear expression of disappointment and disillusionment.
The collapse of Pakatan Harapan in Sabah was not simply a local political swing. It was widely seen as a repudiation of the federal government.
If Harapan cannot internalise this warning, the coalition risks losing the federal government in the coming general election.
Arrests deepen public distrust
The arrest of both Shamsul Iskandar Akin and businessperson Albert Tei the day before the election was intended to signal a serious commitment to anti-graft reform. Instead, they deepened public cynicism.
Many voters viewed the manner of these actions as selective and politically motivated. In an environment already thick with distrust, the cases reinforced perceptions of double standards - further damaging Harapan’s credibility.
Businessperson Albert Tei (left) and ex-aide to the prime minister, Shamsul Iskandar Akin, brought to court in orange MACC lock-up attireHowever, the scandal did not have the same impact on Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which handily won 29 seats in the election.
This includes eight politicians who were re-elected despite being implicated in the Sabah mining licence case.
Their victories raise difficult questions:
If GRS returns to power, will the investigative journalists face retaliation?
Will state-linked actors seek retribution against media outlets like Malaysiakini for past exposés?
Given Sabah’s history of political score-settling, such fears are not unfounded.
Meanwhile, GRS’ rise, as well as Warisan’s, marks a clear structural shift where federal parties - including Harapan - can no longer assume relevance or loyalty in Borneo.
The message from Sabah’s voters resonates far beyond the state: Respect our autonomy, understand our grievances, and deliver on your promises - or stay out of our politics.
If Putrajaya continues to underestimate this sentiment, it will not be Borneo that pays the price - it will be the federal government itself. - Mkini
NG LING FONG is a member of the Malaysiakini team.

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