KOTA KINABALU: The struggle to uphold Sabah’s rights is not a competition but a shared responsibility, says state Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (pic).
He said this responsibility must be carried out with historical wisdom, political decency, and the courage to build rather than divide.
“We must remember that the fight for Sabah’s rights is not a contest of who shouts the loudest but a duty to the people and the state. It must be guided by a constructive spirit,” he said on Tuesday (May 13).
Bung Moktar was responding to Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan’s recent remarks defending the “Sabah for Sabahans” sentiment.
This followed criticism from Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who described the slogan as unproductive and harmful to national unity.
Calling for an end to divisive rhetoric, Bung urged a more responsible and forward-looking approach in championing Sabah’s rights.
He cited Sabah’s first Yang di-Pertua Negeri, the late Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun, who pursued Sabah’s development through cooperation with the Federation rather than fuelling political divisions.
“This spirit of unity and constructive engagement should guide today’s efforts,” Bung Moktar said.
While acknowledging Kitingan’s repeated call on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), he pointed out a gap between rhetoric and results.
He questioned the lack of development in villages under Kitingan’s leadership and the continued unfulfilled promises.
“If the struggle is truly sincere, why are the villages led by his party still lagging behind? Why are people still burdened by old promises and tired of the same political games?” he asked.
The Sabah Barisan Nasional chief also warned against turning the “Sabah for Sabahans” slogan into a political tool that hinders cooperation with the federal government, arguing that such a stance only deepens divisions.
“The people are no longer easily swayed. They are evaluating leaders based on performance, not provocation. They want development, not division. They seek stability, not tension fuelled for personal gain,” he said.
Bung Moktar added that Sabah Umno would continue to prioritise the people’s needs and work towards tangible solutions, rather than engage in political posturing.
Kitingan, meanwhile, maintained in an earlier statement that “Sabah for Sabahans” is not a call for division but a rightful demand for dignity and constitutional recognition.
He listed longstanding grievances such as economic inequality, and demographic manipulation, as reasons for Sabah’s continuing push for autonomy and added that the state’s cooperation with Putrajaya must be built on mutual respect, not subservience.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan chairman, reiterated the importance of close ties with the federal government to ensure Sabah’s progress.
He said Barisan intends to defend the seats it won in the 2020 state election and highlighted the upcoming alliance between Pakatan Harapan and them for the next polls.
Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor responded by saying that GRS is ready to contest solo if necessary, adding that local parties are best placed to lead Sabah due to their deeper understanding of local needs and cultural realities.
