KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s frequent political changes have long been a barrier to the state’s growth, says acting Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
The Deputy Chief Minister II said this is in contrast with Sarawak, which has maintained consistent leadership since the formation of Malaysia.
“People often ask why we cannot be like Sarawak. But remember, Sarawak’s leadership has been stable since Malaysia was formed. Their core leadership has never changed.
“In Sabah, however, we change every five to 10 years. New policies, new governments ... this instability has delayed our progress,” Dr Gunsalam said at the PBS Chinese New Year dinner here on Wednesday.
Although the state remains rich in resources, the constant shifts in leadership have hindered efforts to fully harness its potential, he said.
Political stability, according to Dr Gunsalam, is crucial for Sabah to move forward and achieve the level of development seen in Sarawak.
“We cannot focus on physical development until we have a stable political environment.
“That is one of the main reasons why we have not progressed as much as Sarawak,” he added.
However, he said hope lies in the newly-established Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
He expressed optimism that the coalition of local parties could be a turning point for the state, with a focus on improving the quality of life for all Sabahans, regardless of race, background, or religion.
As Sabah faces challenges in its development, Dr Gunsalam believes that GRS can pave the way for a more stable, unified and prosperous future for the people of the state.
Also present at the event were China Consul General Huang Shifang, PBS and Chinese community leaders.
