Sandakan by-election not only shows that UMNO is no longer relevant in Sabah but demonstrates that the UMNO-PAS axis is utterly  irrelevant in the mission to build a world-class Malaysia


One of the architects of the DAP’s historic victory in the Sandakan by-election, Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal is right that the Sandakan parliamentary by-election is an endorsement by voters of the Warisan-led Sabah State Government and showed that UMNO is no longer relevant in Sabah.

But the Sandakan by-election has other meanings and implications as well as it  is also a ringing endorsement of the Pakatan Harapan
Government in Putrajaya and showed that the UMNO-PAS axis is utterly irrelevant in the mission to build a world-class Malaysia

Most  powerfully, the Sandakan verdict was a stunning repudiation of the “Malu Apa Bossku” campaign of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who visited various polling centres  in Sandakan yesterday morning.

It is pathetic while the great people of Sandakan, regardless of race or religion, voted for a New Malaysia, New Sabah and New Sandakan, the UMNO leaders were engrossed in the divisive and destructive politics of race and religion, with the Acting UMNO President Datuk Mohamad Hassan declaring at the 73rd UMNO anniversary celebration last night that how the public perceives the Malays is tied to how they perceive UMNO.

Are the UMNO powerbrokers aware that this is the reason why this umbilical cord must be severed, for UMNO is now inextricably intertwined with kleptocracy, cronyism and avarice of UMNO leaders, as illustrated  by the shameless “Malu Apa Bossku” campaign and Najib’s pride of place at yesterday’s UMNO anniversary with the participation of PAS leaders.

The advancement of Malay and Islamic rights and interests in Malaysia is now  equated with the protection of corruption and  the vicious and toxic politics of lies, intolerance, hate and extremism of UMNO and PAS leaders.

This is against the principles of a New Malaysia,  a New Sabah and a New Sandakan.

The last three days provide powerful evidence that the second year of Pakatan Harapan/Warisan government in Malaysia and Sabah will be even more meaningful than the first year to build a New Malaysia, New Sabah and New Sandakan –  with Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad first anniversary report card on May 9, the announcement  by the new Inspector-General of Police, Abdul Hamid Bador that the police have consented to the formation of the Independent
Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) on May 10 and the historic Sandakan by-election result on May 11!

Pakatan Harapan/Warisan  must keep faith with the  agenda to build a New Malaysia, New Sabah and New Sandakan in the next four years, based on the foundation laid in the first year after historic 14th General Election decision of peaceful and democratic change on May 9, 2018.

(Media Statement by DAP MP for Iskandar Puteri Lim Kit Siang in Sandakan on Sunday, May 12, 2019)                                                              

  1. #1 by Bigjoe on Sunday, 12 May 2019 - 1:23 pm

    Its quite obvious that without Sabah and Sarawak, the path to Putrajaya promised to its supporters is IMPOSSIBLE and Sandakan showed that Sabah and Sarawak is not going to buy UMNO-PAS toxic politics.

    What now adds to the drama is Najib is literally losing his mind over this given his vitirol about the use of the word “knockout” by Sdr. Lim. His respond to such a word can only be described as psychotic – similarly to his falling apart on Al Jazeera interview. Bossku is clearly some mental stability issue with episodes of psychosis. The “Bossku” supporters are supporting a mentally unfit leader and those that still cannot walk away from him are clearly oblivious and ignorant.

  2. #2 by FreeAsian on Monday, 13 May 2019 - 1:26 am

    The Sandakan by-election results verify that East Malaysian politics is different to that of the peninsula where racial politics still dominate. It is now time for us in West Malaysia to learn from our counterparts in the east – let’s get rid of race in politics, once and for all. Congratulations to LKS and DAP on showing Malaysia the way forward in mature politics.

  3. #3 by Bigjoe on Monday, 13 May 2019 - 10:07 am

    The reality is without Sarawak and Sabah, UMNO-PAS do not have a chance in hell to get to Putrajaya – KJ, Nazri Aziz even Tok Mat knows this.

    What UMNO-PAS is hoping for is that they can literally wipe out PKR, Bersatu, Amanah AND THEN get a few seats in Sarawak and Sabah to make the difference to win. Its not likely so long as there is some rationality about DAP – its why its crucial for them to sell hate and toxic politics and slander DAP otherwise their goal is impossible.

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