Sabah MCA is deeply rooted in the state, says Yong

The Sabah Wanita MCA chief says it is wrong to perceive the state party as an extension of a Peninsula-based party.

Sabah Wanita MCA chief Dr Pamela Yong (in blue cap) on the campaign trail with BN’s candidate for Tanjung Kapor Kevin Lee (sixth from left). (Dr Pamela Yong pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Sabah MCA is wrongly perceived as an extension of a Peninsula-based party, in the midst of a “Sabah for Sabahan” sentiment and a push for local party dominance in the state government, says a party leader.

Sabah MCA had always charted its own path, guided by local leadership and grounded in the realities of Sabahan communities, said Dr Pamela Yong, head of Sabah Wanita MCA.

She said the state party had a long history within Barisan Nasional and has grown, faced challenges, and rebuilt alongside Sabahan partners. “Our candidates are Sabahan, our leadership is Sabahan, and our agenda is Sabahan,” she told FMT.

Sabah MCA had another edge over local parties, she said: it was no outsider to the federal government, which was vital when it came to major development projects.

Yong said there was a need to recognise the practical truth that a majority of such initiatives required strong federal partnership.

She said infrastructure-based projects, such as roads, ports, industrial incentives, tourism corridors and foreign investment depended on national fiscal planning and Malaysia’s foreign economic policies.

Yong said Sabah MCA had local legitimacy backed by national influence – something no purely state-based party could offer.

Yong’s views on the ties between state and federal governments mirrors that of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor, who had called for state-federal ties to remain free of friction, warning that strained relations would ultimately hurt Sabahans.

Commenting on Sabah MCA’s campaign for the current state assembly elections, Yong said the party will focus on local issues such as bridging infrastructure gaps, improving education access, and uplifting local economic opportunities, as well as national issues like the state’s 40% revenue entitlement.

The party would take a more solemn approach in wooing the electorate. “Our politics is grounded in service, not theatrics. We solve problems through engagement, not slogans or social media drama,” she said.

Sabah MCA’s candidates are Kevin Lee, its Kudat division chief, who is contesting in Tanjung Kapor, and Chin Kim Hiung in Karamunting.

Yong described them as being progressive, educated, grounded, and were already active in NGOs, civic initiatives, welfare work, and community development programmes.

“Our candidates are not deserters or opportunists. We field candidates who have earned their place through real work and real presence on the ground,” she said.

Yong said that MCA’s candidates were unlike some “YBs” from local parties that jumped ship after they were elected, on the pretext it was done in the interest of the people.

She revealed that she had been told personally by a local party that they “could not afford to be in the opposition” in justifying their defection.

“But what about the people? Can this party, which could sway so easily, be trusted to fight for the people?” - FMT