Activist warns of youth manipulation amid rising politicisation ahead of Sabah polls

Borneo Post

22-06-2025

Aksyah Nasrah
KOTA KINABALU (June 22): As Sabah gears up for its 17th State Election, activist and local political observer Aksyah Nasrah has voiced concern over what he described as a growing trend of university students and youth being exploited by opposition parties for short-term political gain.
He described the development as alarming, particularly as respected institutions like Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) are being pulled into politically motivated movements.
'UMS was established to educate and shape the future of Sabah's youth, not to be misused as a political tool under the guise of integrity and anti-corruption. Is this what UMS was originally founded for?' he questioned in a statement issued Sunday.
Aksyah also doubted the sincerity of those participating in recent protests, claiming their actions do not reflect the values and character of UMS students or the cultural norms of Sabahans.
'If we observe the facial expressions of those in the recent demonstration, many of them are not genuine UMS students and certainly do not represent the spirit of native Sabahans,' he alleged.
He went on to reveal screenshots, purportedly from WhatsApp conversations, suggesting that participants were paid RM50 each to join the protest — raising serious questions about the authenticity and integrity of the organisers.
'If it's true that participants were paid, then clearly this is not about integrity or anti-corruption. It's about quick gains and personal interest. Sadly, the damage done may be long-lasting,' he said.
Aksyah went so far as to describe the movement as part of a broader anarchist agenda that could threaten Sabah's social harmony and political stability, warning of long-term consequences for the state.
He also took aim at a group of students who had lodged police reports allegedly insulting the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (TYT) of Sabah.
'What's most disappointing is that some of these individuals aren't even from Sabah. They come from outside the state yet insult the TYT, who is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. We have never interfered in their home states, but now they are trying to burn down ours,' he said.
Aksyah described their actions as not only disrespectful but potentially inflammatory, especially with the state election looming.
'The real question is — who is behind all this? What's the motive behind the slogans about integrity and reform? These are not spontaneous actions but coordinated, agenda-driven moves meant to destabilise and incite public unrest,' he claimed.
He also expressed appreciation for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor and the GRS-PH Plus government, crediting them with maintaining development momentum and political stability under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) roadmap.
'Objectively, the State Government under Hajiji's leadership has charted a clear path forward. There is no real reason for students or outsiders to protest. Their actions only serve to derail development efforts,' he said.
Aksyah stressed that political stability and unity are vital for progress, and that disruptive acts must cease for the good of Sabah.
'If we want to earn respect and achieve success, we must prioritise stability and unity as our foundation. If this situation continues, our hopes of uplifting the dignity and future of our people will remain out of reach,' he concluded.