Sabah election: The fight for genuine change beyond ‘money politics’

By Enoch Lim

The Sabah state assembly has been dissolved, paving the way for state elections by early December.

On the night of the dissolution, I watched a news segment explaining the event. When various political analysts were asked about the election, they found it hard to predict who would form the next state government. They said all the major parties and coalitions – Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Warisan and Perikatan Nasional – had a chance but none of them would win an outright majority.

If this materialises, the next state government is most likely to be another multi-coalition government comprising different parties and coalitions.

As I scrolled through the comments on various social media platforms, there were two major camps expressing their sentiments regarding the contesting parties.

On one hand, there were those in favour of a GRS–PH alliance, stating that this was the only sensible solution to a stable state government as they have the advantage of incumbency, pointing to their strength in close federal-state relations.

On the other, there was the ‘anti-Malayanism’ sentiment. This camp argued that political parties that originate from the peninsula (PN, BN and PH) have no place in Sabahan politics. They argued that these parties should be removed entirely so that they would not have any say or influence in Sabah to serve peninsular interests.

The latter sentiment is fascinating, as it could pave the way for how Sabah is able to maintain and retake its powers of autonomy in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963, while maintaining good relations with the federal government.

Some people have suggested that Sabah should emulate Sarawak’s Gabungan Parti Sarawak model. There, local parties are in the majority, leaving little room for parties from the peninsula.

But then, people also have many differing thoughts on the viability of local-based parties, whether they will be able to survive in Sabah’s political climate.

Smaller parties, old and new – such as the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Impian, Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (PKDM), State Reform Party (Star) – all need to prove their worth. They have to offer something dynamic – compared to the big-name parties – to the people in this election if they wish to survive.

Others suggested that these smaller parties should form a coalition of their own to contest against the existing coalitions.

For many, it is a battle that will determine whether Sabah will stand firm on its own like Sarawak does, or be subservient to federal interests.

Certainly, it seems that the events leading to the final outcome of this election can go in many ways.

It goes without saying that demographics matter as well. Have the ethnic Chinese and religious minorities been leaning more towards PH or towards the others these past few years? What about the opinions of those in the interior of Sabah? What do the Kadazan and other minority communities think of the current leadership?

These questions will certainly be a noteworthy study for many, especially in polling analysis. All parties will be able to use on-the-ground sentiments to gain votes by sending the right message at the right time.

Moving into the election with many unanswered issues and controversies after another, it stands to reason that the contesting parties will have to come up with an array of narratives and counter-narratives – ‘propaganda’, if you will – to discredit the opposition and strengthen their own image.

The various sides may paint each other as “frogs”, “traitors” and other labels. Some may even resort to character assassination and accuse their opponents of not having Sabah’s best interests at heart. They will highlight their strengths and achievements in helping the people of Sabah and uplifting the state.

This will be the norm in the days to come until polling day. It is up to the wisdom of the people to discern this information for themselves and not to be easily swayed by emotions or to take things at face value.

While Sabah has progressed relatively in terms of internet accessibility and media literacy, not many people have the luxury of understanding the bigger picture at hand and processing all the available information. Some will vote based on experience. Others will go with the flow. Older adults and those with little or no information access will be more prone to vote for whomever others are persuading them to support.

A couple of questions should be asked of all the people of Sabah: are they willing to continue to live under a ‘status quo’, ‘business-as-usual’ government and politicians, or do they seek genuine change? Will they be willing to get behind genuine leaders who seek the good of their community instead of tolerating corrupt ones?

A community is only as good as its leaders. A leader with good upstanding character will be able to inspire the people to do good; virtuous values in the community will follow suit. A leader with no integrity and of poor character will result in the same in the people.

How much longer can the people tolerate the corruption culture with leaders doing nothing about it, while bowing down to other interests that have plagued Sabah for decades?

Politics works so differently below the surface. It is not all black and white, as we may think. Behind every decision-making process, there are discussions, disagreements and compromises, and stories on every side. The inner workings of politics are much more complex – especially the machinery of politics.

I despise the handing out of money to people to buy votes. It is ultimately cowardly and unjust. It conditions people’s behaviour into thinking like simpletons who believe that money solves everything (“cash is king”). It removes the moral agency of voters.

Such practices must be rejected at all costs, no matter which party is doing it. Unfortunately, this practice is likely to be in play unless we put an end to it.

Several issues are bubbling. The controversies surrounding Albert Tei’s corruption charges alongside other Sabah leaders allegedly bribed in recorded videos. The state of the economy and state security. The lack of basic infrastructure especially of water and electricity. And a certain extent the circumstances surrounding Zara Qairina’s case that have raised questions about potential cover-ups. All these issues might influence voters’ decisions.

The people of Sabah must now do away with Nato (no action talk only) politicians that only have themselves and their cronies in mind. To be able to do so is the test and challenge for us all.

Let us be vigilant of the events to come and be steadfast in our decisions, convictions and principles, despite our disagreements.

Everyone, if possible, must shoulder this responsibility and keep asking all parties and candidates two key questions:

• What are you offering to me that other parties can’t?
• What is your plan for Sabah?

Spread my message and make an informed decision on polling day. The outcome lies in the hands of the people, after all.

This election is about our home and our future. God bless, and happy voting.

Enoch Lim from Sabah is currently doing a master’s in public administration at a public university in the peninsula. He had earlier graduated in Sarawak with a degree in politics and government studies.

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