{
  "id": 19959471,
  "title": "Shafie: Borneo Bloc must deliver concrete action for Sabah",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/shafie-borneo-bloc-must-deliver-concrete-action-for-sabah",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-14T09:29:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/11/1577561/shafie-borneo-bloc-must-deliver-concrete-action-sabah"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kota Kinabalu - The creation of the Borneo Bloc may prove futile if the concerns and aspirations of Sabahans remain unheard and their demands remain unmet, according to Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. He emphasized that unity should transcend mere political collaboration and must be accompanied by tangible actions to safeguard the state's rights and interests. Shafie lamented that decades of vocalizing Sabah's grievances would yield little progress if critical issues persist without resolution, such as the state's claim for a 40% special grant from federal revenue, currently under appeal. He questioned the efficacy of decades-long advocacy if the called-for actions remain unimplemented. The recent 40% grant announcement is yet again delayed, prompting questions about the path forward. Shafie stressed that unity in Sabah must manifest in coordinated actions rather than divergent directions. Regarding potential political cooperation via the Borneo Bloc, he stated that Warisan is currently evaluating possible forms of collaboration with certain entities to bolster Sabah's interests and its pursuit of demands. Shafie underscored that political solidarity in Sabah should possess a defined direction and should not solely hinge on alliances between national parties. He also advocated for national party representatives in Sabah to be judged on their dedication to championing the state's interests, rather than merely echoing the stances of their party presidents. In March, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had ruled out the formation of a Borneo Bloc, asserting that Sabah and Sarawak remain integral parts of Malaysia and must collaborate with the federal government to fortify the nation. He reiterated that unity among all parties - the states and the federal government - is essential to enhance Malaysia's strength.",
  "summary": "KOTA KINABALU: The formation of the Borneo Bloc will mean little if the voices and interests of Sabahans are not heard and their demands are not translated into concrete action.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}