THE 2025 Sabah state election, which will be held on Nov 29, will determine the 17th Sabah State Legislative Assembly. All 73 seats will be up for contest.
It will be an interesting election since the formation of the unity government especially in the context of alleged corruption involving certain politicians in the state. The scandal involving the approval of valuable prospecting licenses for minerals in the state has implicated about a dozen assemblymen.
One wonders if this has been the modus operandi of certain politicians in the state over decades which has only come to light now.
And then there is also a history of switching political sides after an election for vested interest.
There is a broad consensus among analysts that the main political problem in Sabah is the sudden switching of sides or, or in political terms, frog politics.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has recently called on voters in Sabah to evaluate candidates based on their track record and competence rather than racial sentiments or emotions while also urging a focus on collaboration rather than conflict.
According to Anwar, voters should prioritise candidates with clear records in addressing fundamental issues like water, electricity and education especially in rural areas and not those who only appear during election season.
What Anwar failed to convey is the importance of dismantling the culture of frog politics among certain Sabah politicians, and the alleged link between businessmen and politicians that is detrimental to the common good of Sabah.
Fundamental issues like water, electricity and education in rural areas could be worked out effectively if politicians of integrity who abhor corruption are elected.
Fighting corruption seems to be missing in the prime minister’s vocabulary as well as that in Pakatan Harapan politicians in Sabah which clearly reveals the opportunistic nature of coalitions formed there.
This is also true of other parties who have not come out with concrete plans to fight opportunism and allege corruption in the state.
Therefore the Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue urges the young people and the overall people of Sabah to reject politicians they believe are involved in systemic corruption.
Authentic development will only take place if there is a dismantling of the corrupt link between politicians and businessmen who violates the common good. ‒ Nov 19, 2025
Ronald Benjamin is a human resources practitioner based in Ipoh. He is currently secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: Bernama
