KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s future must never again be determined by politics of defections, says Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (pic).
He said since 2018, the state had witnessed multiple episodes of defections that cause “democratic fatigue”, a weariness among the people toward politics that lacks principles and consistency.
He said for Sabah Barisan, it had never lost in the ballot but rather, saw its downfall in 2018 due to defections and betrayal of some assemblymen and partner parties after the poll results, not the people’s rejections.
“Those who defected refused to stand with the Barisan federal government, which had at that time become the opposition,” Bung said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 8).
“Their actions not only destabilised Sabah’s political landscape but also betrayed the people’s mandate, which had democratically chosen Barisan as the majority party through a legitimate electoral process,” Bung said.
He said this dark episode must serve as a major lesson for the people of Sabah and never again should the state’s future be determined by the politics of defection, adding that modern politics was no longer about who held power, but legitimacy and trust.
“When a government changes not because of the people’s will, but due to betrayal of their mandate, what collapses is not merely a government but the very institutions, moral fabric, and political dignity of the state itself,” he said.
Bung said every episode of defection was not just a political drama, as it injured the social contract between the people and their leaders.
A government born out of betrayal would never be able to inspire confidence, and without confidence, there can be no lasting stability, he said.
He said true stability does not come from slogans, but from leadership integrity and institutional strength.
“Development cannot be built upon political chaos. Investments require stability, policies demand continuity, and the people need confidence,” Bung explained.
“Enough with experimental politics. Sabah needs policy firmness, visionary leadership, and governance grounded in reason,” he added.
In 2018, Barisan and Parti Warisan, with their ally partners had won 29 seats respectively while Sabah STAR won two.
Initially, Barisan led by then Datuk Seri Musa Aman (now Tun), merged with Sabah STAR to garner 31 seats, making this coalition the new government with Musa sworn in as chief minister.
However, less than 48 hours later, several Barisan assemblymen including from ally party Upko defected to support Warisan, making it the new state government up to September 2020 when a snap election was called.
