How GE14 redefined Sabah's political landscape

 

No civilisation, nation, or government lasts forever. Some have fallen dramatically, as evidenced by the downfall of the BN-led government in Sabah during the pivotal 14th general election (GE14) in 2018.

This election not only marked the end of Umno’s decades-long rule but also heralded the rise of Warisan as the new governing party. Sabah, long a BN stronghold and dominated by Umno since 1994, saw its political landscape radically transformed.

Musa Aman, a former United Sabah National Organisation leader and chief minister from Umno, had been a fixture of Sabah politics, serving for more than a decade.

Historically, Sabah was seen as a “fixed deposit” for BN, crucial for maintaining its federal power in the 2008 and 2013 elections. However, GE14 saw this support crumble as Warisan, alongside its ally Pakatan Harapan, decisively ended BN’s dominance.

The election in Sabah also demonstrated that local voters were attuned to national issues, such as the 1MDB scandal and the implementation of the goods and services tax, challenging the notion that Sabah was insulated from peninsula issues.

GE14 was a watershed moment that highlighted profound shifts in voter sentiment, mirroring a national awakening to governmental accountability and transparency.

Shafie’s appeal

GE14 featured five main groups vying for power in Sabah, with PAS also participating:

1. BN (Umno, Parti Bersatu Sabah, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, MCA, Liberal Democratic Party, MIC)

2. Warisan and Harapan (PKR and DAP)

3. Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Sabah Progressive Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah)

4. Parti Cinta Sabah

5. Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri

At stake were 60 state and 25 parliamentary seats. The key contenders were Musa Aman and his archrival Shafie Apdal, who, after being suspended from Umno in 2016 over the 1MDB scandal, founded Warisan and quickly became a beacon of new hope for Sabahans.

Warisan president Shafie Apdal

Shafie’s leadership style, marked by its focus on inclusivity and good governance, resonated with many Sabahans who felt marginalised under previous administrations. His approach was to present a vision that was distinctly local yet inclusive, promising to safeguard Sabah’s rights within the broader Malaysian federation.

This message became particularly compelling against the backdrop of Umno’s dominance and the federal government’s neglect of local concerns, factors which had significantly disillusioned many voters.

In the aftermath of the election, Warisan’s triumph at the parliamentary level was clear, securing 14 seats predominantly on the east coast, with significant gains in Western Sabah and suburban areas like Sepanggar and Putatan.

Their allies, Harapan, demonstrated strong performance in Chinese-majority areas and ethnically mixed seats, indicating a shift in the political landscape where governance and accountability began to outweigh traditional patronage politics.

However, the state election results were more nuanced, reflecting a diverse electorate. Support was divided in Muslim-bumiputera areas between BN as well as Warisan and Harapan, while BN fared slightly better in non-Muslim-bumiputera areas.

This diversity in voting patterns underscored the complex interplay of ethnic, regional, and economic factors that influence politics in Sabah.

Initially, the state-level results showed no clear winner, with both BN and Warisan securing 29 seats. The deadlock was broken when Star emerged as the kingmaker. Despite BN initially forming a government with Star’s support, it was short-lived.

Upko’s withdrawal from BN tilted the balance, allowing Warisan to form a new government with Shafie as chief minister, closing the chapter on Umno’s 24-year reign.

Lessons from GE14 in Sabah

GE14 in Sabah taught us several lessons. First, it reaffirmed the robustness of Sabah’s democracy, as its citizens demonstrated their capacity to overturn a long-entrenched government in favour of hopeful change.

Second, it showed that Sabah is no longer isolated from national politics - national and local issues are equally influential in shaping electoral outcomes.

Third, the electoral results revealed a public desire for leaders who prioritise broad societal needs over narrow partisan gains.

Additionally, this election showed that Sabahans are increasingly looking beyond ethnic and regional identities in choosing their leaders. The shift toward more issue-based politics suggests a maturing electorate that values integrity and transparency in government.

This is a significant departure from the development, patronage, and personality politics that once characterised Sabah’s political environment.

In conclusion, the GE14 results in Sabah were not just about the numbers but also about the profound political awakening among Sabahans. They signal a broader trend towards governance, economy, and leadership issues that transcend traditional political boundaries.

This election is a testament to Sabah’s vibrant democratic spirit and critical role in shaping not just its destiny but also that of Malaysia. - Mkini

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ARNOLD PUYOK is a senior lecturer with the Faculty of Social Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

This article is part of a series on the sixth anniversary of the watershed May 9, 2018 general election.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.