Sabah political leaders assert regional autonomy and set coalition conditions

Political leaders in Sabah are asserting regional autonomy and setting conditions for future political alliances. Warisan President Mohd Shafie Apdal stated that the party will reject any cooperation with Peninsular-based parties that involve racial or religious extremism. Shafie emphasized that maintaining harmony and mutual respect among Sabah's diverse communities is a non-negotiable requirement for any potential coalition.

Separately, Gagasan Rakyat Vice President Datuk Masiung Banah has urged the political party PAS to refrain from interfering in the political affairs of Sabah and Sarawak. Masiung addressed recent comments regarding the proposed increase in the ratio of parliamentary seats for the Borneo states, noting that such demands are grounded in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). He maintained that leaders in Borneo are capable of making independent political decisions without external intervention from Peninsular Malaysia.