Pairin Part Of Sabah S Political Illness

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YOURSAY | ‘Most damaging issue for Sabah is leaders using politics for personal gain.’
'Sabah is sick,' says Pairin as he shoots piercing glances at party heir
JWKK: The most pressing problem in Sabah is not the voters but the political parties and leaders, hence, it is ironic for Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) founder Joseph Pairin Kitingan to say Sabah is “sick,” excluding himself, because he and his brother have long been part of Sabah’s political problems.
Leaders and parties remain fluid and easily change positions due to a lack of firm principles, not even to protect Sabah and Sabahans.
They speak loudly about resisting interference from the federal government and defending the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), but it often remains just rhetoric.
The most damaging issue for Sabah is leaders using politics for personal gain. No wonder corruption remains widespread.
Spinnot: Yes, Sabah is sick. The solution is to vote out parties from the peninsula, Pakatan Harapan, BN, and Perikatan Nasional, along with Harapan's ally Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), on Nov 29.
Harapan has alliances with both GRS and BN and holds leverage over GRS because of its alleged mining scandals.
If GRS wins, it will be controlled by Harapan. The Harapan–BN alliance is essentially a pan-Malayan arrangement; any Sabahan candidates will answer to leaders in the peninsula.
To respond to those who spoke about political frogs, let me ask, "Who is the real frog master?"
Pairin resigned from Berjaya in 1984. He recontested as an independent and won, then formed PBS in 1985 and never switched parties. PBS won the 1985, 1986, 1990 and 1994 elections.
But in 1994, PBS’ slim majority led BN to attempt a coup. Pairin was locked out of the Istana Negeri for 36 hours to stop his swearing-in. The coup succeeded.
Those who want to know who enabled the frog culture should look at the BN campaign director in 1994 - a Malayan.
Pairin was not a frog. His month-old PBS toppled Berjaya in 1985. And to those who claim there is no corruption in the peninsula, look at 1MDB, Port Klang Free Zone, the immigration migrant scandal, and more.
Sabah still has plenty to learn if it wants to master corruption at that level.
GoldenHarimau6107: It’s absurd how some politicians once jumped eagerly into peninsula-based alliances to gain positions and power, yet now criticise those same alliances.
Their families live comfortably overseas, sipping wine, while ordinary supporters fight in comment sections defending every misstep. And now they attack the Harapan-led federal government?
Where were their voices in the past when they held power as chief minister or deputy chief minister under BN and PN?
Courage seems to appear only when it benefits them politically.
These are the same people who worked with former chief minister Musa Aman and later aligned with PAS and PN during the last election, yet now act innocent.
Sabahans are exhausted by political hypocrisy, constant party-hopping, chasing titles, and empowering groups that many Sabahans reject.
If they cannot fight corruption, they will not gain support from urban voters. Only those in the “pendalaman” (interiors) still support them blindly.
Hopefully, voters there will be more discerning and recognise the corruption and betrayals, from rejoining BN to enabling PAS in the state assembly.
Mario T: Pairin, you were given the chance to set Sabah’s direction and development, but instead worked with federal forces to neglect the state and pursue personal interests.
You bear responsibility for the sickness you describe, yet now shift blame onto others.
The upcoming election will be chaotic, with too many parties and candidates. The outcome may be fragmented with no clear winner, followed by haggling to form a coalition.
I hope Sabahans prove this prediction wrong.
Constitution Supremacy: @Mario T, Pairin stood for Sabah’s rights until the end. The last time PBS won under him was in the early 1990s, with only a three-seat majority.
Federal ministers and Anwar Ibrahim, then deputy PM, were already in Sabah after the results. Within a day, several PBS assemblypersons jumped ship to BN.
Pairin, as an elder statesperson, spoke wisely when he said the federal government wields too much power and Sabah lacks its own defence capability.
Many army battalions are stationed in Sabah, forming a reliable vote bank for the federal government.
Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), Upko, PBS and other Sabah-based parties must therefore work together, or at least cooperate, after this election. Sabah should support a local party to form its government.
SR Man: I visited Sabah in September. In a Grab car, I asked the driver which party he supported. He replied: none.
I asked about the Pan Borneo Highway, launched in 2015. The Grab driver said he rasa malu (felt ashamed) to talk about it, explaining that only about 50 percent or less had been completed in Sabah, compared to Sarawak which is almost done. He blamed political corruption.
A longtime Sabah resident I met the next day, echoed the same sentiment. Ten years have passed, and Sabahans are still waiting.
The next government will have five years to complete the project. Leaders should finish the highway before claiming credit for hard work.
Federal funds are meant to uplift Sabahans, not satisfy political greed. - Mkini

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