Sabah MP warns against ‘local vs national' rhetoric, calls for focus on results ahead of state polls
Chan noted that localism has always been a key element of Sabah's political identity, but one that has coexisted with national coalitions over time.
'It's not fair to divide parties as either 'local' or 'national.' Leaders from so-called national parties are Sabahans too. They've been here, working on local issues and championing rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),' he said.
His comments come as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) mulls its election strategy amid tensions with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) and growing sentiment that Sabah should be led by a purely local bloc.
'Pakatan Harapan has UPKO, a local party. BN has PBRS. These are Sabah-rooted organisations. And many of us in DAP and PKR are Sabahans ourselves. So how do we say what's 'local' and what's not?'
Chan reflected on his decision to join politics in 2007 when most local parties were under the BN coalition.
'I believed in reform and in fighting for justice across Malaysia. That's why I joined DAP. We've stood up for Sabah in Parliament many times. You can't lump all national parties into one box and call them oppressors,' he said.
He warned that using the 'Sabah for Sabahans' narrative as a political campaign tool risks dividing communities and misrepresenting governance structures.
'This sentiment is stirred up for political reasons. But the truth is, even local parties like GRS and Warisan compete with each other. It's not a clear-cut local vs national fight — it's about delivery, not slogans,' he said.
Chan added that no party, whether local or national, can effectively fight for Sabah's rights without maintaining a cooperative relationship with the federal government.
'With Pakatan in the state government now, we've resolved 13 MA63 issues so far. Only four remain: the 40% net revenue return, the Continental Shelf Act, one-third parliamentary representation, and stamp duty revenue rights.
'All of these are complex and require meaningful negotiation with the federal level. That doesn't change no matter who wins the election,' he said.
Chan also pointed out that civil servants handle the technical groundwork while politicians set policy directions, underscoring the need for collaboration.
'People forget that. These documents and discussions are handled by the bureaucracy. Politicians come and go, but the federal system remains. If you're serious about Sabah's rights, you work with it — not against it,' he said.
While acknowledging perceptions that Sarawak has been more successful in securing federal concessions, Chan said this was not due to a stronger local identity but rather effective strategy and communication.
'One example is Sabah's longstanding control over its ports, which has been preserved and recognised. Sarawak, on the other hand, recently 'regained' control over theirs.
'Sarawak always tells a good story. They're very public about their achievements. Sabah takes a softer approach. That doesn't mean we've done less,' he said.
Chan concluded that the focus should be on results, not labels.
'At the end of the day, what matters is who gets the job done,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
‘Don't need a middleman': PH can work with GRS if they want, but Sabah BN wont, says Bung Moktar
KOTA KINABALU, June 24 — Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has rejected the idea of negotiating with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) through intermediaries, insisting he does not need a middleman to decide whether to work with other political parties ahead of the state election. The Lamag assemblyman reiterated his position that cooperation with the incumbent GRS was 'impossible' unless they 'cleanse their souls' first. 'They can work with GRS. And we can work with Pakatan Harapan (PH), but between me and GRS, let that remain between us. I don't need a middleman,' Bung said when speaking to reporters after a women's empowerment programme organised by Majlis Amanah Rakyat here today, He was responding to a question about the Unity Government Secretariat's call for the three coalitions in the federal administration — Barisan Nasional (BN), PH, and GRS — to cooperate ahead of the state elections. Bung said there had been no meetings between BN and GRS, nor any one-on-one discussions between him and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. 'If we want to talk, we talk directly. But as of now — no meetings, no discussions. And frankly, there's no need,' he said. Bung said his stance stemmed from what he claimed were past betrayals and a lack of sincerity by the coalition led by Hajiji. 'It's not that I refuse (to work with GRS). If they change into a party that is sincere and honest, I might consider it. But if they don't change, it's impossible. 'We agree in the morning, but by afternoon you change it, and then you take what's been given to us — how is that sincere? Sincerity means sticking to your word. That is how you win over the people,' he said. Bung also took a jab at GRS leaders for shedding 'crocodile tears', saying he no longer trusted their word. He was ostensibly referring to a recent unverified video of Hajiji, circulated online, which showed him in tears during one of his party's conventions while claiming it was his last term as chief minister. In contrast, Bung said BN had a cordial relationship with Pakatan Harapan (PH), and although negotiations were still ongoing, election clashes were unlikely. 'We are working with PH. Negotiations are okay, just that some finer details still need to be worked out,' he said. When asked if seat negotiations had begun, Bung said BN would contest in constituencies it believed it could win. 'I haven't decided how many, but if I can win 40, I'll contest 40,' he said.
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
The last Hong Kong pro-democracy party that held street protests disbands
HONG KONG — Hong Kong pro-democracy political party the League of Social Democrats announced Sunday that it had disbanded due to immense political pressure, the latest casualty in a years-long crackdown that has quieted the city's once-potent opposition. After massive anti-government protests in 2019, many leading activists were prosecuted and often jailed under a 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing. Dozens of civil society groups dissolved. Media outlets critical of the government closed. The League of Social Democrats was the only pro-democracy party that still staged small street protests from time to time, and it held street booth activities to carry on its advocacy despite the risks. Its chairperson, Chan Po-ying, said the disbandment decision was made after careful deliberation, especially taking into account the consequences to its members and allies. Chan refused to elaborate on the pressure but said she was proud to say that the party had contributed to the city's pro-democracy movement in these few years. 'We have stayed true to our original aspirations and haven't let down ... the trust placed in us by those who went to prison,' she said. 'While we are now forced to disband and feel an ache in our conscience, we have no other choice.' Hong Kong, a former British colony, will mark the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule on Tuesday. The city used to hold annual pro-democracy protests that day and other demonstrations demanding policy changes. But those ceased after most organizing groups were disbanded and the leading activists were jailed. Critics say the drastic political changes under the security law reflect that the freedoms Beijing promised to keep intact in 1997 are shrinking. The Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist the law is necessary for the city's stability. A Chinese official overseeing Hong Kong affairs in 2023 said protests are not the only way for people to express their views, signaling Beijing's stance toward demonstrations in the city. In April, Hong Kong's biggest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, also voted to give its leadership the mandate to move toward a potential disbandment. Party veterans told the Associated Press that some members were warned of consequences if the party didn't shut down. A final vote is expected at a later date. Chan said she believed the 'one country, two systems' principle, which Beijing uses to govern Hong Kong, has already ended, pointing to the Chinese government's imposition of the security law and introduction of the concept of 'soft resistance,' a term officials use to refer to underlying security risks. 'One country, two systems has already [become] one country, one system,' she said. Founded in 2006, the League of Social Democrats was a left-wing political party that opposed what it called collusion between government and business, upheld the principle that people have a say and was firmly committed to the interests of underprivileged residents. It was widely known for its more aggressive tactics when fighting for change. Its members have thrown bananas, eggs and lunch meat at officials or pro-Beijing lawmakers as a protest gesture. Its party platform said the group advocated nonviolent resistance but would not avoid physical confrontations — a stance that set it apart from older, traditional pro-democracy groups. It once had three lawmakers in office. Its longest-serving lawmaker, Leung Kwok-hung — Chan's husband — was disqualified from the legislature due to his manner of taking his oath in office in 2017. On the streets, the group's activism led to the arrests and jailing of its members. Last year, Leung and prominent LGBTQ+ activist Jimmy Sham, a former party leader, were sentenced to nearly seven years and more than four years, respectively, over their roles in an unofficial primary election under the sweeping security law. Sham was freed from prison last month. In recent years, the party has had limited political influence, no longer holding any seats in the legislature or local district councils. Even a bank ceased to provide account services to the group. But it continued to stage occasional small protests, despite those activities sometimes leading to arrests. On June 12, Chan and other members were fined after being found guilty over their street booth activities. Undeterred by their convictions, they kept pressing on and protested against the ruling outside the court. Chan wiped away tears during Sunday's news conference and chanted slogans with other members at the end. She said she doesn't believe that democracy will come in the near future. 'Moving forward is not at all easy,' she said. 'I hope everyone can become like an ember, a flying spark — still carrying light, keeping that light alive, no matter how small it may be.' Leung writes for the Associated Press.
6 days ago
The last Hong Kong pro-democracy party holding street protests disbands
HONG KONG -- Hong Kong pro-democracy political party League of Social Democrats announced on Sunday it had disbanded due to immense political pressure, the latest casualty in a years-long crackdown that has already quieted much of the city's once-vocal opposition. Following massive anti-government protests in 2019, many leading activists were prosecuted or jailed under a 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing. Dozens of civil society groups dissolved. Media outlets critical of the government shuttered. The League of Social Democrats was the only pro-democracy party that still staged small street protests from time to time and held street booth activities to carry on its advocacy despite the risks. Its chairperson, Chan Po-ying, said the disbandment decision was made after careful deliberation, especially taking into account the consequences to its members and comrades. Chan refused to elaborate on the pressure but said she was proud to say that the party had still contributed to the city's pro-democracy movement in these few years. 'We have stayed true to our original aspirations and haven't let down to the trust placed in us by those who went to prison," she said. 'While we are now forced to disband and feel an ache in our conscience, we have no other choice,' she said. Hong Kong, a former British colony, will mark the 28th anniversary of returning to Chinese rule on July 1. The city used to hold annual pro-democracy protests that day and other various demonstrations demanding better policies. But those were ceased after most organizing groups were disbanded and the leading activists were jailed. Critics say the drastic political changes under the security law reflect that the freedoms Beijing promised to keep intact in 1997 are shrinking. The Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist the law is necessary for the city's stability. A Chinese official overseeing Hong Kong affairs in 2023 said protests are not the only way for people to express their views, signaling Beijing's stance toward demonstrations in the city. In April, Hong Kong's biggest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, also voted to give its leadership the mandate to move toward a potential disbandment. Party veterans told The Associated Press that some members were warned of consequences if the party didn't shut down. A final vote is expected at a later date. Founded in 2006, the League of Social Democrats was a left-wing political party that opposed collusion between government and business, upheld the principle that people have a say and was firmly committed to the interests of underprivileged residents. It was widely known for its more aggressive tactics when fighting for change. Its members have thrown bananas, eggs and luncheon meat at officials or pro-Beijing lawmakers as a protest gesture. Its party platform said the group advocated non-violent resistance but would not avoid physical confrontations — a stance that set it apart from older, traditional pro-democracy groups. It once had three lawmakers in office. Its longest-serving lawmaker, Leung Kwok-hung — Chan's husband — was disqualified from the legislature due to his manner of taking his oath in office in 2017. On the streets, the group's activism led to the arrests and jailing of its members from time to time. Last year, Leung and prominent LGBTQ+ activist Jimmy Sham, a former party leader, were sentenced to nearly seven years and more than four years over their roles in an unofficial primary election under the sweeping security law. Sham was freed from prison last month. In recent years, the party has had limited political influence, no longer holding any seats in the legislature or local district councils. Even a bank ceased to provide bank account services to the group. But it continued to stage small protests from time to time, despite sometimes those activities leading to arrests. On June 12, Chan and other members were fined after being found guilty over their street booth activities. Undeterred by their convictions, they kept pressing on and protested against the ruling outside the court.
