SANDAKAN: Calls for Sabah to rely solely on local parties were politically unrealistic and would not change the balance of power at the federal level, where major decisions, including funding and national development priorities, are still determined, says veteran politician Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.
The United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) president said that even if Sabah parties won all 73 state seats in the coming election, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would still hold control over federal allocations.
"Let's say all local parties join together and win all 73 seats, Anwar is still the Prime Minister, he is still the Finance Minister for another two years.
"He is still the one who decides the budget and the federal allocation," he said during Usno with Sekong people dinner event in Sandakan on Sunday (Oct 5).
He said that is why Sabah's development cannot happen without federal support, especially for major projects that require significant funding.
"These are not projects worth RM10,000, RM20,000 or RM100,000.
"These are projects worth tens of millions, hundreds of millions.
"Without the Federal Government, the Pan Borneo Highway would not happen," he said.
Pandikar, who once championed the "Sabah for Sabah" sentiment himself, admitted that his past statements were driven more by political emotions than reality.
Now, he said, he speaks from the perspective of political maturity and experience.
"I used to say that Sabah must prioritise Sabah parties too. But that was political rhetoric.
"The reality is not like that," he said.
"If all the local parties unite and win every seat, Anwar will still be there. He will still be the one reading the national budget.
"And if he says, 'Come on, man, I'm still the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. I'm not going to give you any allocation,' then what can you do?"
Pandikar said politics must go beyond slogans and emotional appeals.
While aspirations and ideals were important, they needed to be balanced with pragmatism, wisdom and political strategy.
"Aspirations are one thing, but reality is another.
"Courage alone is not enough, courage must be matched with wisdom and maturity," he said.
"You can talk about local parties ruling Sabah, but the truth is, this state cannot move forward without cooperation from Putrajaya.
"We cannot build highways, solve water problems or deliver large infrastructure without federal funding."
He said history had shown that some of Sabah and Sarawak's most crucial development projects were only made possible with support from federal leaders, citing the Pan Borneo Highway under former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Bakun hydroelectric dam in Sarawak during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's administration.
"Politics is not about ego. It is about delivering for the people.
"And delivering requires political will, negotiation and working together, not isolating ourselves," he said.
Pandikar added that whilst it was valid for Sabah leaders to demand fair treatment under Malaysia Agreement 63, real progress would only happen through political consensus and strategic engagement with federal leaders, not through endless rhetoric.
