Kota Kinabalu – In a move that could reshape Sabah's political landscape, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan has set strict conditions for any electoral cooperation between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), insisting that Sabah's political direction must be determined locally, not by Putrajaya.
"Sabah First" – The Non-Negotiables
The Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president outlined two possible frameworks for collaboration:
- GRS-first approach: All 73 state seats would be divided among GRS' eight component parties first. Any party wishing to work with PH would then have to negotiate their own seat allocations.
- Fixed quota system: PH could be allocated a set number of seats to contest – but all candidates must run under the GRS banner, maintaining the coalition's local identity.
"This isn't new – DAP previously contested under Warisan's logo," Jeffrey reminded, stressing the need for unity under a local platform.
Autonomy vs Allegiance: The Sabah Dilemma
A longtime champion of state rights, Jeffrey framed the upcoming election as a critical juncture for Sabah's political sovereignty:
"We united under GRS to advance MA63 and Sabah's rights. But unity means nothing if leaders prioritize power over principle. Without genuine collaboration, we're left relying on mere sentiment."
The Keningau MP didn't mince words about federal influence, likening the current political climate to "as good as colonisation" and pointing to Sarawak's GPS model as the gold standard for state-based coalitions.
The Ambalat Flashpoint
Jeffrey's remarks come amid rising tensions following the Prime Minister's announcement of joint Malaysia-Indonesia management of the disputed Ambalat waters near Sabah – a decision made without state consultation.
"They're tightening their grip. We must reclaim our right to self-determination," he asserted, warning that Sabah risks becoming politically subservient to federal interests.
An Olive Branch to Warisan?
In a surprising twist, Jeffrey hinted at potential collaboration with opposition parties like Warisan, provided they share the commitment to Sabah autonomy:
"Even Warisan agrees we need local solutions. The question is whether we maintain ties with PH out of gratitude for 'Langkah Kinabalu', or chart our own course."
The reference to 2023's political crisis underscores the complex loyalty calculus facing GRS, which owes its survival to federal backing during the upheaval.
Hajiji's Federal Gambit
The stance puts Jeffrey at odds with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who appears inclined toward continuing the GRS-PH alliance – despite potential clashes with Barisan Nasional in what could become a messy three-way contest.
"Sarawak succeeded because they stood united. Here, we're still fighting among ourselves while Putrajaya pulls the strings," Jeffrey lamented, calling for Sabah leaders to "set aside egos" and prioritize state interests.
The Road Ahead
With the state election looming, Sabah's political forces face a defining choice:
- Maintain the status quo of federal-aligned alliances
- Forge a truly autonomous, all-local coalition
- Risk fragmentation in multi-cornered fights
Jeffrey's ultimatum makes clear: The era of unquestioned federal loyalty is over. Whether GRS components heed his call may determine if Sabah follows Sarawak's path to greater autonomy – or remains tethered to Peninsula's political winds.