Calls for Fair and Inclusive Governance in Sabah

10 April 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Former Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, has called for a new political approach that emphasizes fairness, inclusivity, and competence to ensure long-term stability and unity in the state.

In a statement of his offical facebook page today, Salleh stressed that Sabah’s unique diversity ethnic, religious, and cultural lines necessitates a governance model where every community feels genuinely represented and involved.

“We must move towards a system of representative meritocracy, where leadership reflects our diversity but is also rooted in capability and integrity,” Salleh said.

He outlined a model of governance where the three major demographic groups of Muslim Bumiputera, non-Muslim Bumiputera, and non-Bumiputera are not only symbolically represented but are given meaningful roles and responsibilities in government.

“Beyond community representation, Salleh underscored the importance of political inclusiveness.

“Major political parties, especially those with wide support across different regions, must be part of the power-sharing structure. However, leadership must always be guided by merit,” he stated.

Describing his proposal as a form of “political accommodation,” Salleh highlighted the need for cooperation between communities and political parties to foster a stable and unified Sabah.

He also noted that this approach aligns with the original spirit in which Sabah’s political framework was built through mutual respect, shared power, and constitutional values of balance and regional autonomy.

“To succeed, this vision requires strong and sincere political will. Only by working together, grounded in a shared vision for Sabah’s future, can we build a more inclusive and resilient society.”

“Going forward, we need a governance model where every community and region plays a meaningful role not just in name, but in actual decision-making. That is how we shape a fairer, stronger Sabah,” he added.