Kota Kinabalu: Youth leaders from across Sabah’s political spectrum joined in a rare show of unity at the “Bah-Bincang Kita” Sabah Pre-Election Youth Forum 2025, an event that traded political rivalry for open dialogue, collaboration and laughter
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Bringing together around 150 representatives from DAP, Keadilan, Muda, PBS, PGRS, PIS, SAPP, Star, Upko and Warisan, the forum marked a historic first for the state and possibly for Malaysia, where young leaders met not to debate, but to discuss the issues that matter most to Sabahans.
Panelists explored key topics such as MA63 and Sabah’s rights, fair cost of living, anti-corruption measures, resource management, road infrastructure and inclusivity for persons with disabilities (PWD).
The conversations were described by many as grounded, relevant and refreshingly candid.
Co-organised by Community Empowerment Initiative Sabah with Gerakan Anak Sabah, Hai Mandak, Spade, Seen, The Sip Sip Show, Sabah Youth Movement and Kupi Kupi FM, the event stood out for its relaxed and interactive atmosphere.
The mix of engaging moderation and relatable exchanges helped create a space for genuine connection and shared vision among participants.
Dr Datuk Christina Rundi, who attended as an observer, praised the forum’s spirit of unity.
“This togetherness is unique to Sabah. We are peace-loving people, and this is what we must preserve.
“We live on an island, no matter how hard life gets, we must be self-reliant and solve our own problems. We cannot afford to fight amongst ourselves,” she said.
“The forum shows that young Sabahans are capable of thinking beyond party lines, prioritising ideas over ego, and shaping a future that belongs to all.
“It’s a reminder that politics can be intelligent, respectful, and deeply human,” said the organising committee.
The public can watch the full forum on CEI Sabah’s Facebook page or The Sip Sip Show’s YouTube channel.
