Hubungan Sabah, Pusat perlu jadi perkongsian, bukan pertentangan, kata bekas KM

Former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Salleh Said Keruak emphasized the importance of cooperation, not competition, between Sabah and the federal government. In a statement on Malaysia Day, marked every year on September 16th, Salleh said that both parties must understand their respective responsibilities and work together to generate better benefits for the people.

"Not Sabah against the Federal Government. Not East against West. But partners who understand their responsibilities and are willing to collaborate to achieve better outcomes for the people," he stressed, highlighting the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the constitutional rights and autonomy of Sabah, which remain crucial and need to be upheld.

However, the veteran Umno member said striving to maintain this was not about Sabah distancing itself from Malaysia; instead, it was part of building a stronger, fairer, and mutually respectful federation. He added that Sabah's relationship with the Federal Government cannot always be viewed solely through past issues; it needs to move towards discussions about what can be built together.

Salleh wanted Sabah to be more advanced and competitive — with better education and healthcare, infrastructure, and basic amenities; a stronger economy, and more opportunities for young people to build their future in their own state. Sabah also has much to contribute to the future of Malaysia — our resources, strategic location in Borneo, cultural heritage and biodiversity, and talents, ideas, and skills of the new generation, he said.

Salleh also emphasized that Malaysia's strength also lies in Sabah and Sarawak, which provide significant benefits in terms of prosperity and stability for all parties. The importance of this should not be seen as something mutually exclusive, he said.