Kota Kinabalu: Former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak called for a new political approach that is fairer, more inclusive and based on merit, to ensure the State’s continued stability and unity.
He said Sabah’s rich diversity of ethnicities, religions and cultures requires a political system that respects and meaningfully involves all communities.
“This diversity demands a fair and inclusive political approach, where every community feels respected and involved,” he said in his Facebook page.
Salleh, who is also Usukan Assemblyman, emphasised the importance of representative meritocracy in leadership appointments, so that those chosen not only reflect Sabah’s plural society but also genuinely qualified, capable and of integrity.
He also urged that the three main groups — Muslim Bumiputera, non-Muslim Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera — be given meaningful representation in government.
“They must be entrusted with real responsibilities, not just symbolic roles,” he added.
In addition, he noted that major political parties with widespread support across constituencies should also be given a role in the power-sharing structure. However, he stressed that merit must remain the basis of all appointments.
“This is the essence of political accommodation — a spirit of cooperation between communities and parties for the sake of stability, justice and unity in governance,” he said.
Salleh also pointed out that realising this approach requires genuine and courageous political will, rooted in mutual respect and a shared vision for Sabah’s future.
According to him, this approach aligns with the original spirit behind the formation of Sabah’s political framework — built on understanding, cooperation and fair power-sharing among communities — and reflects constitutional values that prioritise balance, inclusivity and regional autonomy.
“What matters most moving forward is building a model of governance that is inclusive, competent and grounded in shared responsibility, where every community and region plays a meaningful role in shaping Sabah’s future,” he said.
