Principles should not bend with political convenience, says Salleh

Former Sabah CM says flexibility and compromise are necessary in politics, but flexibility in strategies should not be confused with flexibility in principles.

Former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak said politics, parties and personal interests may change, but principles should remain the guiding compass.

PETALING JAYA:

Political positions and alliances may change with circumstances, but principles should not be bent for political convenience, says former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak.

Salleh said today’s opponent could become tomorrow’s ally, while yesterday’s principle could become today’s inconvenience – shifts often explained as “political reality”.

The Sabah Umno treasurer said politics could be understood through four “Ps”: politics, party, principles and personal interests.

“Politics provides the strategy. Party provides the justification. Principles provide the public argument. Personal interests may sometimes provide the real explanation,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Salleh said flexibility and compromise were necessary in politics, but warned that flexibility in strategies should not be confused with flexibility in principles.

He said cooperation could be described as political maturity when convenient, while competition could similarly be defended in the name of principles.

“So the question is not simply who is right or wrong. It is: which ‘P’ is driving the decision today?” - FMT