Of LDP in Sabah: A bleak road ahead

At its conception in 1989, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) came pounding into Sabah’s political sphere, holding high noble purposes. Seeking to radically redefine political representation for Sabah folk and safeguard the state’s rights, LDP became the ideal storm Sabah needed brewed in a teacup.

Taking on significantly larger political opponents such as the then Sabah People’s United Front (BERJAYA) and United Sabah National Organisation (USNO), LDP proved its political prowess wresting seats at all levels of Government: state, federal and even the Dewan Negara.

It personified a force to be reckoned with and eventually drove its sizeable political rivalries BERJAYA and USNO into early retirement.

But the LDP’s days were numbered. Its glory did not permeate time. Upon the dawn of the 14th General Elections, it lost all. Owing to acute infighting, unhealthy rivalry and grave allegations of corruption: it imploded.

The wrath of Sabahans descended upon the party.

Bearing a timely reminder to LDP leaders of service to the people first, above politics.

Be that as it may, that is now the past. A past that does not necessitate dwelling upon for all time to come but one which must nevertheless be remembered as a bitter

lesson. The true questions nonetheless for the LDP are now these: What lies ahead for the party? And have LDP leaders learnt the crucial lessons of the immediate past?

Carefully observing the path LDP seems to have embarked upon the past year, the answers to these questions very unfortunately fail to inspire. The path ahead -- should there be one for the LDP - woefully appears bleak and vapid.

LDP leaders seem unscathed by the harrowing rejection the party suffered just 14 months ago. Instead of charting a redefining path forward in Sabah’s best interests, LDP remains immune to the reasons for their defeat and continue these ill pursuits today to their disadvantage.

For some incomprehensible reason, LDP suffers from an irresistible obsession to engage in tireless criticisms of past leaders and a persistent shifting of blame on the

bygone. It is agreed that some of these criticisms are well

warranted, but this should not be the central focus and sole aim of the LDP’s existence. But it undeniably appears to be so at present.

In lieu of infighting and blame shifting, LDP ought to reflect

on the noble purposes the party once held so dearly at its conception: to act in and represent the best interests of Sabah and Sabahans. LDP has yet to do this, in any sense.

What it has tried to do however is make desperate attempts at clinging onto power by imploring to join Warisan. This is not the way forward for the LDP and shows that LDP leaders have yet to learn from the past.

It reflects no true earnest will to represent the people’s interests by being an effective opposition bloc and upholding the doctrine of checks and balances against

Warisan that now cushions the seat of power in Sabah.

All of these matters collectively bring us to a single question: is the current LDP leadership fit to lead the LDP into a new political era in Sabah?

If the LDP continues to wade comfortably in its current ways and direction, the answer to the question above becomes selfexplanatory. LDP’s leadership must wake up. And they must wake up now. Cease the politicking, the blame, and begin serving the people of Sabah.

Save for proceeding in the above in turning over a new leaf, the fate of the LDP seems lamentably sealed firm in the like books of BERJAYA and USNO: defunct.

The people of Sabah deserve better from LDP.