KOTA KINABALU: Sabah-based parties should consider contesting all 73 seats in the upcoming state election to reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding the state’s political autonomy, says Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) information chief Chin Vui Kai.
“This... represents the mission and collective responsibility of Sabah’s political parties to secure the state’s autonomy and future,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Chin highlighted the challenges faced by some Sabah-based parties aligned with national political coalitions, particularly in advocating for greater autonomy for Sabah within the constraints of their national decision-making structures.
He also appealed to non-Sabah-based parties to respect the aspirations of the Sabah people for political self-determination.
“We urge these parties to emulate the precedent set by Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional during the Sarawak state election when both coalitions refrained from fielding candidates.
“Such a gesture would demonstrate genuine respect for the autonomy of Malaysia’s three regions,” he said.
