Press Statement
By Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan
KOTA KINABALU, May 12, 2025.
I refer to the recent remarks made by Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi labelling the ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ sentiment as divisive and counterproductive.
Such a statement ignores history, distorts the facts and dismisses the legitimate political will of Sabahans. We do not need permission to speak for ourselves, nor do we require validation from any federal figure to assert what is rightfully ours.
‘Sabah for Sabahans’ is not an act of defiance. It is a rightful stand for political dignity, constitutional integrity and historical truth. Sabah was never meant to be subordinate state. We formed the Malaysian federation as an equal partner, alongside Sarawak and Malaya, based on clear terms set out in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report.
Let me speak frankly.
For decades, Sabah has been treated as a resource colony while our voices were suppressed. The federal government has systematically dismantled the spirit of MA63, eroded our constitutional position and reaped wealth from our soil while ignoring our development needs.
Here are the facts. Since 1976,
– Our oil and gas were placed under the control of PETRONAS with barely a say from Sabahans.
– Our status as a Negara and equal partner was erased from both federal and state constitutions.
– Project IC imported illegals, re-engineered our demography and permanently changed our political future.
– The Sabah Constitution was tampered with to accommodate the entry of Malayan parties, who rotated Chief Ministership like tokens until UMNO’s turn arrived.
– Our forests and lands were alienated to entities far from Sabah, enriching others at our expense.
– Federal revenue policies continue to deprive Sabah of its rightful share, while our infrastructure remains decades behind.
– The promise of Borneonisation remains a broken one as West Malaysians dominate federal posts in Sabah to this day.
And now, after all these, we are told not to express our own aspirations? To sit quietly while Malayan parties negotiate among themselves over who gets to rule Sabah?
We will not apologise for wanting control over our own future.
Sabah has the right to decide its own direction. If Malaysia is to mean anything at all, it must be built on genuine partnership, not domination.
Let me be clear. ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ is here to stay. It is not a temporary political slogan. It is a long overdue restoration of truth. If anything is divisive, it is the persistent federal arrogance that refuses to recognise Sabah’s rightful place.
Our cooperation with Putrajaya must be based on respect and equality, not subservience. We will work together when it benefits Sabah, but we will no longer tolerate interference, manipulation and exploitation.
Sabah is not a colony of Malaya. We never were and we never will be.
Whether we move forward as a restored partner within the federation, or chart an entirely new course, will depend on how Sabah is treated in the days to come. That decision will be made not in Putrajaya but right here, by the people of Sabah.
*DATUK SERI PANGLIMA DR JEFFREY G KITINGAN*
*PRESIDENT, PARTI SOLIDARITI TANAH AIRKU (STAR)*
*DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER I | VICE CHAIRMAN, GABUNGAN RAKYAT SABAH*
