MELAKA: The outcome of the recent Sabah state election should not be seen as a rejection of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said Aidi Amin Yazid.
The PKR deputy secretary-general said the results instead reflect the desire of Sabah voters for leadership rooted in local identity and for representatives who understand local priorities beyond campaign seasons.
He said the message from voters was clear that Sabahans are tired of political figures from the peninsula who appear during election cycles without sustained engagement or awareness of everyday challenges in the state.
"How often do politicians from the peninsula visit Sabah outside election time to understand living conditions and frustrations?” he asked when met here on Monday (Dec 1).
Aidi Amin said even local candidates did not completely refuse support from national figures but were cautious about sincerity when cooperation comes only with elections.
He said Sabahans voted for good governance and leaders who can manage state affairs while working confidently with the Federal Government.
He referred to comments by Dr Phar Kim Beng, who is a professor of Asean Studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia, noting that Sabah did not reject Malaysia through this election, but reminded the federation how it should function.
Aidi Amin said Parti Warisan’s strong performance reflects growing political awareness among Sabahans, particularly among youth and first-time voters who now form a large share of the electorate.
He said the composition of the new state assembly would allow a more balanced voice and ensure Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s administration remains accountable after years of political instability.
“Sabah has lived through instability caused by careless political moves.
"This is a fresh mandate for Hajiji to deliver what Sabahans have been waiting for,” he said.
He said the results also suggest voter fatigue, shifting voting behaviour and a new generation of voters with different expectations.
Aidi Amin said the election outcome should be read not as a rejection of Anwar’s leadership but as a recalibration of relations between Sabah and Putrajaya.
“This verdict is not a refusal of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"It's a call for Sabah to move forward as an equal partner within the Madani government,” he added.
