Most Sabahans favour local parties, claims Lajim

KOTA KINABALU: Majority of Sabahans want local political parties to represent them in demanding for the state’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, claimed Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah president Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin.

This is because parties from Peninsular Malaysia have failed to fully understand the aspirations and desires of Sabahans, he claimed.

“Only local leaders understand the culture and pulse of the rakyat in this state who want to see change in Sabah’s political landscape,” he said when officiating Haparan Rakyat’s Kudat division in Pitas on Sunday.

The situation is similar in Sarawak where its people chose a local based political party to govern the state, he said.

Lajim however lamented that there are some Sabahans who still believe the promises of these ‘import’ parties that they will fight for Sabah’s rights in Malaysia.

“What is sadder is the fact that there are Sabahan leaders who use non-local parties to demand the rights of Sabah despite knowing the fact that what they are asking for may not be fulfilled,” he opined.

To this end, Gabungan Sabah was formed to become the platform where local opposition parties can unite in championing the objective of getting back Sabah’s rights, the Klias assemblyman stressed.

“I urge folks in Pitas to give Gabungan Sabah the opportunity to represent them in asking for development that will make the district on par with others in the state,” Lajim said.