Sabah Bersatu chief and Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee says the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition will contest the upcoming Sabah polls on 29 November with the aim of forming the next state government, even if it means Sabah would be led by an opposition administration at the federal level.
Kiandee argues that Sabah’s rights can still be defended “without hostility” toward the Madani Government in Putrajaya, confirming the coalition is prepared for that outcome.
Aiming to Form Government, Not Be Kingmaker
When asked about the number of seats PN will contest and if the goal is to form the government or become kingmaker, Kiandee was decisive: “We are aiming to be the government.”
He added that the seat allocations have been identified and will be announced on 11 November.
He described Sabah politics as dynamic. “We’ll go in under PN, but we’re not fighting anyone.”
He reiterated that rights can be defended inside the system, not outside it.
Regarding the 40% revenue entitlement under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Kiandee took a strong stand against the Federal Government appealing the recent ruling.
“The federal government shouldn’t appeal. That’s the spirit of the formation of this country, what Sabahans expected when we joined Malaysia,” he said.
He warned: “If they insist on appealing, I will have to rethink my position.” He added that he cannot stay if the government he serves goes against the spirit of the agreement.
Kiandee also offered his view on the perception of hostility among some Sabah leaders when discussing MA63, noting that the way some people speak makes the federal government view them as hostile, which is the problem.
He emphasized that MA63 shouldn’t be politicized and that the fight is the same, regardless of whether one is in a Sabah-based or federal-based party.
“The question is how you fight for those rights, do you shout from outside, or do you take your seat at the table where decisions are made?” Kiandee highlighted that being part of the federal government allows one to be the policymaker and effectively devolve powers, citing deep sea fishing licenses as an example.
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