What Datuk Robert is selling is political snake oil

Friday, 31 October 2025

"Stability without autonomy is not stability — it is submission disguised as stability."

With reference to Datuk Robert Tawik's statement in SayangSabah dated 31 October 2025. 

STAR is not against political stability. Everyone understands that stability is essential for progress and development — just as the fishmongers and traders in the market know that a stable business environment is vital for their livelihood.

But what Datuk Robert is selling is political snake oil, while avoiding the real issue at hand.

Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan, with his PhD in Political Science, knows full well that stability cannot come at the cost of Sabah’s political autonomy.

The real issue here is not just stability — it is our autonomy and freedom to make decisions without external interference.

When Sabah’s state government “shares a bed” with external political forces — the very ones from whom we are still fighting to reclaim our rights — we are, in fact, surrendering our leverage and giving them the tool to hold us at ransom.

Take the 40% net revenue entitlement as an example.

How can we demand what is owed to Sabah when the same federal-based parties that owe us are part of the ruling coalition in the state?

They could easily threaten to withdraw their support or collapse the government should Sabah insist on what is rightfully ours.

Is that political stability — or stability held hostage?

We have already witnessed this kind of instability before, during the “Langkah Kinabalu” episode, where alliances shifted overnight at the expense of the people’s mandate.

Dr Jeffrey saw this risk coming from miles away.

That is why his vision is for a truly stable administration — one that stands on Sabah’s own feet, free from external influence, and strong enough to continue pursuing Sabah’s rights, including the long-overdue 40% revenue entitlement and back payments dating back to 1976.

Sabah does not need conditional stability that depends on the goodwill of others.

What we need is genuine stability, born from Sabah’s internal strength and unity.

Stability without autonomy is not stability — it is submission disguised as stability.

#JusticeForSabah #SabahForSabahans #GerakanBersatuSabah