Kota Kinabalu: The last-minute inclusion of Barisan Nasional in the new Sabah Cabinet was not without objection from the youth and women wings of Gagasan Rakyat, Upko and the Sabah Youth Council.
Gagasan Rakyat Women’s Division felt the current coalition already had a stable and representative majority that was capable of governing without BN.
They recalled that BN openly said it was opposed to any form of cooperation with GRS before the election.
Wanita Gagasan said inviting BN into the government would be disregarding the decision made by voters in the recent state election.
The wing also referred to the political episode of 2023, which it said had disrupted state stability, noting BN’s involvement at the time.
At the final count, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) commanded 29 seats and was supported by five Independents, Upko (3), Pakatan Harapan (1), KDM (1), and Star (2), along with six appointed assembly members.
The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) Youth and Women also called on the Chief Minister to reject any attempt to include BN, saying such a move could jeopardise political stability.
They said the matter must be examined carefully in the interest of the state’s long-term stability.
Upko feared that BN’s involvement could reopen the door to political instability, citing Sabah’s history of sudden shifts in allegiance and power struggles such as the “Langkah Kinabalu”.
The people, they said, now want firm and consistent leadership without political manoeuvring for power.
“For the future of this state, the interests of the people must come before the interests of any political party,” they said.
Sabah Youth Council President Abqaree Fawwaz Abekan also voiced deep disappointment over the decision to include “outside parties” in the new state cabinet, calling it a blow to the dignity and sacrifices of young Sabahans.
He said the council does not oppose cooperation but insists it must be based on respect.
“We stand today with heavy hearts and deep disappointment. This decision has caused real hurt among young Sabahans who have fought tirelessly to defend the political dignity of this state,” he said.
According to him, youth activists had poured their energy, time and commitment into campaigning for a future shaped by Sabahans themselves, not by political manoeuvring from outside the state.
“Our hope was simple: Sabah’s future must be determined by its own people,” he said.
“We feel sidelined, taken lightly and unappreciated, as if our struggle for Sabah’s dignity has been reduced to a political game,” he added.
He stressed that young Sabahans want leadership that is courageous, principled and free from external influence.
“We want a Sabah that stands on its own feet, not dependent on forces that once slowed our progress.”
Abqaree vowed that young Sabahans will continue to speak up and defend the state’s autonomy.
