Understanding the Difference Between a Deputy Minister and an Assistant Minister in Sabah

Wednesday, 3 December 2025

Many people remain unclear about the distinction between a Deputy Minister and an Assistant Minister, often assuming that both roles are the same.

In reality, they are very different in hierarchy, authority, functions, and staffing—especially within the administrative structure of Sabah.

This explanation aims to clarify these differences based on Sabah’s governance framework.

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🟦 1. Only the Chief Minister Has Deputies

In Sabah, Deputy Ministers do not exist in the way they do at the Federal level.

At the state level, only the Chief Minister (CM) has deputies, known officially as Deputy Chief Ministers (TKM).

✔ Current Structure

Sabah currently has three Deputy Chief Ministers, each representing different communities or political blocs.

✔ Assistant Ministers in the Chief Minister’s Department

The Chief Minister may also have Assistant Ministers assigned to the Chief Minister’s Department (Jabatan Ketua Menteri).

These Assistant Ministers often handle:

• Special portfolios

• Tasks that do not require establishing a full ministry

• Supporting functions under the Chief Minister’s overarching direction

For example, portfolios like Human Capital, Entrepreneurship, or Digitalisation may be placed under the CM’s Department instead of being turned into standalone ministries.

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🟩 2. Deputy Chief Minister = Full Minister

A Deputy Chief Minister is a full Cabinet Minister.

Besides holding the title TKM, he or she typically heads a ministry—such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Works, etc.

🧑‍💼 Staffing of a Deputy Chief Minister

Their office is supported by:

• Political Secretary – handles political outreach, party affairs, grassroots communication

• Press Secretary – manages media relations, statements, press coverage

• Private Secretary – manages schedules, meetings, protocol, and administrative coordination

These positions are formally recognised, usually appointed with State Government approval, and come with clear remuneration and job scopes.

🏛 Duties as Deputy Chief Minister

In addition to ministerial responsibilities, a TKM also:

• Assists the Chief Minister in coordinating cross-ministry policies

• Represents the Chief Minister when delegated (in meetings, federal engagements, state events)

• Ensures cohesion between ministries under their cluster or political grouping

• Strengthens political unity within the coalition government

• Acts as a senior advisor in strategic matters such as development planning and intergovernmental relations

• Handles delicate issues involving ethnic or regional representation

⭐ Protocol Ranking

A Deputy Chief Minister ranks:

1. Below the Chief Minister

2. On par with other full Ministers, but with higher importance due to the title

3. Above all Assistant Ministers

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🟧 3. Assistant Minister = Not a Full Minister

A Minister in Sabah does not have a Deputy Minister (like the Federal structure).

Instead, each Minister is supported by Assistant Ministers.

An Assistant Minister (Pembantu Menteri):

• Is NOT a full minister

• Does NOT have independent policymaking authority

• Cannot issue directives without the Minister’s approval

• Serves as the Minister’s representative in operational or ground-level matters

🧑‍💼 Staffing for an Assistant Minister

Unlike full ministers, Assistant Ministers do not receive:

• Political Secretary

• Press Secretary

• Private Secretary

Instead, they may appoint:

• Special Officers (Pegawai Khas)

• Administrative Assistants

• Driver / aide

These are lower-grade appointments, yet Special Officers often end up performing tasks similar to:

• Political Secretary

• Press Secretary

• Private Secretary

Hence, yes—they are often underpaid compared to the weight of their duties.

🏛 Duties of an Assistant Minister

They typically:

• Represent the Minister in district events

• Attend ground programmes and community functions on behalf of the Ministry

• Monitor implementation of ministry programmes

• Maintain communication between Ministry HQ and district offices

• Provide political support within the Minister’s constituency or party

• Answer questions in the State Legislative Assembly on behalf of the Minister

📝 Answering Questions in the Assembly

Assistant Ministers can answer questions in the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN).

However:

• Answers are prepared by Ministry staff (led by the Permanent Secretary)

• Answers must be approved by the Minister

• Assistant Minister is merely the spokesperson, not the decision-maker

⛔ What an Assistant Minister Cannot Do

• Cannot make Ministry policies

• Cannot issue directives to the whole ministry without Minister’s approval

• Cannot commit the State Government to new initiatives independently

• Cannot act as a full minister in federal-level negotiations unless authorised

This distinction protects the chain of command and Cabinet discipline.

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🟪 4. Protocol Position of an Assistant Minister

In Sabah’s official protocol:

• Assistant Ministers rank below:

  • Deputy Chief Ministers

  • Ministers

  • The State Secretary (a civil servant but extremely senior)

At major official events—e.g., the Governor’s birthday celebration—

the State Secretary is seated with:

• the Chief Minister

• Deputy Chief Ministers

• full Ministers

Assistant Ministers sit in a separate tier.

This reflects their supporting role, not executive leadership.

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🟫 5. Summary of Differences

⭐ Deputy Chief Minister

• Full Minister

• Senior position in Cabinet

• Holds a full-fledged Ministry

• Has Political Secretary, Press Secretary, and Private Secretary

• Has policymaking power

• Higher protocol ranking

• Represents CM in cross-ministry leadership

⭐ Assistant Minister

• Not a full minister

• Support role to a Minister

• No political/press/private secretaries

• Lower protocol

• Operational duties

• Cannot create policy

• Limited authority

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🟦 Conclusion

The difference between a Deputy Chief Minister and an Assistant Minister in Sabah is significant in terms of:

• authority,

• protocol rank,

• staffing,

• responsibilities, and

• policy influence.

Understanding these distinctions helps the public better appreciate the organisational structure of Sabah’s administration and the roles each officeholder plays within the machinery of government.

Memahami Perbezaan Antara Timbalan Menteri dan Pembantu Menteri di Sabah

 

Rabu, 3 Disember 2025

Masih ramai yang keliru tentang perbezaan antara Timbalan Menteri dan Pembantu Menteri, dan sering menyangka kedua-duanya mempunyai kedudukan serta tanggungjawab yang sama.

Hakikatnya, kedua-dua jawatan ini berbeza secara ketara dari segi hierarki, kuasa, tugas serta kemudahan yang diterima.

Rencana ini menjelaskan perbezaan tersebut dalam konteks pentadbiran Kerajaan Negeri Sabah.

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🟦 1. Hanya Ketua Menteri Mempunyai Timbalan

Dalam pentadbiran Sabah, jawatan Timbalan Menteri tidak wujud seperti di peringkat Persekutuan.

Sebaliknya, hanya Ketua Menteri yang mempunyai Timbalan Ketua Menteri (TKM).

✔ Struktur Semasa

Sabah kini mempunyai tiga Timbalan Ketua Menteri, mewakili komponen penting dalam kerajaan gabungan.

✔ Pembantu Menteri di Jabatan Ketua Menteri

Ketua Menteri juga boleh melantik Pembantu Menteri dalam Jabatan Ketua Menteri.

Pembantu Menteri di sini biasanya mengendalikan:

• portfolio kecil atau khusus,

• tugas-tugas yang tidak memerlukan penubuhan kementerian penuh,

• pelaksanaan program tertentu di bawah pengawasan Ketua Menteri.

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🟩 2. Timbalan Ketua Menteri = Menteri Penuh

Seorang Timbalan Ketua Menteri juga adalah Menteri penuh dalam Kabinet Negeri. Selain memegang jawatan TKM, mereka mengetuai sebuah kementerian, contohnya:

• Kementerian Pertanian dan Perikanan,

• Kementerian Kerja Raya,

• Kementerian Pelancongan, dan sebagainya.

🧑‍💼 Staf Sokongan Bagi Timbalan Ketua Menteri

Setiap TKM disokong oleh pegawai khas di pejabat menteri, antaranya:

• Setiausaha Politik – urusan politik, parti, jaringan akar umbi

• Setiausaha Akhbar – hubungan media, kenyataan rasmi, liputan

• Setiausaha Sulit (Private Secretary) – jadual, urusan pentadbiran, protokol

Kesemua jawatan ini adalah lantikan rasmi, bergaji tetap dan mempunyai skop tugas jelas.

🏛 Tugas-Tugas Utama Timbalan Ketua Menteri

Selain tugas kementerian, TKM turut:

• membantu Ketua Menteri menyelaras dasar antara kementerian,

• mewakili Ketua Menteri dalam mesyuarat penting,

• memantau isu strategik di peringkat negeri,

• menjadi jambatan perpaduan dalam kerajaan gabungan,

• mengurus portfolio besar yang memerlukan kepimpinan tambahan,

• memainkan peranan sebagai penasihat utama kepada Ketua Menteri.

⭐ Kedudukan Protokol

Timbalan Ketua Menteri berada:

1. di bawah Ketua Menteri,

2. setaraf dengan Menteri lain tetapi lebih tinggi kedudukan,

3. lebih tinggi daripada semua Pembantu Menteri.

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🟧 3. Pembantu Menteri Bukan Menteri Penuh

Dalam Kabinet Sabah, Menteri tidak mempunyai Timbalan Menteri seperti struktur kerajaan Persekutuan.

Sebaliknya, Menteri dibantu oleh Pembantu Menteri.

Seorang Pembantu Menteri:

• bukan menteri penuh,

• tidak mempunyai kuasa menggubal dasar,

• tidak boleh mengeluarkan arahan dasar tanpa kelulusan Menteri,

• menjalankan tugas-tugas operasi dan sokongan.

🧑‍💼 Staf Bagi Pembantu Menteri

Tidak seperti Menteri penuh, Pembantu Menteri tidak diberikan:

• Setiausaha Politik

• Setiausaha Akhbar

• Setiausaha Sulit

Sebaliknya, mereka boleh melantik:

• Pegawai Khas,

• Pembantu Tadbir,

• pemandu atau pembantu asas.

Pegawai Khas Pembantu Menteri biasanya melaksanakan tugas setara seorang Setiausaha Politik atau Setiausaha Akhbar, namun:

• gred gaji lebih rendah,

• bidang tugas lebih luas,

• tanggungjawab lebih berat daripada elaun yang diterima.

🏛 Tugas-Tugas Pembantu Menteri

Antaranya:

• mewakili Menteri dalam program rasmi,

• turun padang memantau pelaksanaan dasar,

• menghadiri mesyuarat daerah atau program komuniti,

• mengukuhkan hubungan antara kementerian dan daerah,

• membantu menyelesaikan isu-isu operasi kementerian,

• menjawab soalan di Dewan Undangan Negeri atas mandat Menteri.

📝 Menjawab Soalan di Dewan

Apabila menjawab soalan:

• jawapan disediakan oleh pegawai kementerian, diketuai Setiausaha Tetap,

• jawapan perlu diluluskan oleh Menteri,

• Pembantu Menteri hanya mewakili kementerian, bukan membuat keputusan sendiri.

⛔ Apa yang Pembantu Menteri Tidak Boleh Lakukan

• tidak boleh mengumumkan dasar baharu,

• tidak boleh membuat keputusan strategik tanpa mandat,

• tidak boleh bertindak sebagai ketua kementerian.

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🟪 4. Kedudukan Protokol Pembantu Menteri

Dari segi protokol kerajaan:

• Pembantu Menteri berada di bawah Menteri dan Timbalan Ketua Menteri,

• malah lebih rendah daripada Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri (seorang penjawat awam kanan).

Contohnya, dalam majlis rasmi seperti Hari Jadi Rasmi Tuan Yang Terutama Yang di-Pertua Negeri, susunan tempat duduk biasanya:

• TYT,

• Ketua Menteri,

• Timbalan Ketua Menteri,

• Menteri-Menteri,

• Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri,

• kemudian Pembantu Menteri.

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🟫 5. Rumusan Perbezaan

⭐ Timbalan Ketua Menteri

• Menteri penuh

• Kuasa dasar

• Mempunyai setiausaha politik, akhbar, dan sulit

• Kedudukan protokol tinggi

• Membantu Ketua Menteri menyelaras pentadbiran negeri

• Memimpin kementerian besar

⭐ Pembantu Menteri

• Bukan menteri penuh

• Tiada kuasa dasar

• Tiada setiausaha rasmi, hanya Pegawai Khas

• Kedudukan protokol lebih rendah

• Menjalankan tugas sokongan dan operasi

• Menjawab soalan di DUN atas mandat Menteri

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🟦 Kesimpulan

Perbezaan antara Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Pembantu Menteri adalah besar dari segi:

• tanggungjawab,

• kuasa,

• protokol,

• staf sokongan,

• peranan dalam Kabinet Negeri.

Memahami struktur ini membantu rakyat melihat gambaran sebenar bagaimana pentadbiran Sabah berfungsi serta peranan setiap jawatan dalam sistem kerajaan negeri.

Bolehkah ADUN-ADUN Bebas Menyertai Mana-Mana Parti Selepas Menang?

 

Isnin, 1 Disember 2025

Ya — tetapi dengan syarat yang sangat khusus kerana Sabah kini mempunyai undang-undang anti lompat parti.

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✅ 1. Ya, 5 ADUN Bebas boleh sertai mana-mana parti — tapi hanya jika ia tidak melanggar undang-undang anti lompat parti.

Menurut undang-undang di Sabah:

• Jika seorang wakil rakyat menang sebagai ADUN Bebas, kemudian mendaftar secara rasmi dengan mana-mana parti → kerusi dianggap kosong.

• Maka, mereka kehilangan kerusi dan perlu diadakan pilihan raya kecil (by-election).

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✅ 2. Apa yang boleh mereka lakukan secara sah

Mereka dibenarkan untuk:

• Menyokong mana-mana gabungan / kerajaan tanpa perlu mendaftar sebagai ahli parti.

• Menjadi Menteri, Timbalan Menteri, atau memegang jawatan GLC selagi status mereka kekal Bebas.

• Menyertai gabungan blok secara rasmi sebagai “Bebas menyokong” — tanpa menandatangani borang keahlian mana-mana parti.

Itu tidak melanggar undang-undang anti lompat parti.

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❌ 3. Apa yang mereka tidak boleh lakukan

Mereka tidak boleh:

• Menjadi ahli rasmi mana-mana parti (STAR, GRS-komponen, Warisan, UPKO, BN, PH, dan sebagainya).

• Jika mereka menandatangani borang keahlian → kerusi dibatalkan → pilihan raya kecil diadakan.

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🔵 4. Adakah terdapat pengecualian?

Hanya jika:

• Dewan Undangan Sabah meluluskan pindaan undang-undang yang memberi pengecualian kepada ADUN Bebas.

• Tetapi sehingga kini — tidak terdapat pengecualian sedemikian.

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✔️ Kesimpulan Ringkas

Tindakan	Sah / Tidak	Kerusi kosong jika sertai
Menyertai parti secara rasmi	❌ Tidak sah	✅ Ya
Menyokong kerajaan sebagai Bebas	✔ Sah	❌ Tidak
Terima jawatan kabinet sebagai Bebas	✔ Sah	❌ Tidak
Sertai blok / gabungan tanpa keahlian	✔ Sah	❌ Tidak

Jadi ringkasnya:

Ya — ADUN Bebas boleh menyokong mana-mana parti / kerajaan.

Tetapi mereka tidak boleh secara rasmi menyertai mana-mana parti tanpa kehilangan kerusi mereka.

KEBIJAKSANAAN, PENGORBANAN & KEMENANGAN MORAL DATUK SERI DR JEFFREY G. KITINGAN

Isnin, 1 Disember 2025

Akan tiba masanya rakyat Sabah perlu berhenti sejenak dan menilai segala peristiwa dengan jernih — bebas daripada propaganda, kebencian atau cemburu. Dan apabila kita meneliti dengan teliti tahun-tahun penuh pergolakan sebelum pilihan raya baru-baru ini, satu kebenaran menjadi terlalu jelas untuk dinafikan:

Kecerdikan di sebalik kebangkitan politik Sabah datang daripada minda dan pengorbanan seorang tokoh — Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan.

Ketika STAR hanya memenangi satu kerusi, ramai yang mentertawakan. Tetapi sedikit sahaja yang memahami strategi mendalam di sebaliknya.

Dengan hanya satu kerusi itu, Dr Jeffrey memasuki rundingan yang akhirnya membantu membentuk kerajaan Persekutuan di bawah Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Dan kerana keberaniannya membuka pintu itu, satu peristiwa bersejarah berlaku: Buat pertama kali dalam sejarah, MA63 menjadi isu arus perdana politik negara.

Di bawah pentadbiran Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin:

• Status rakan kongsi Sabah & Sarawak dipulihkan

• Pada 14 Disember 2021, Parlimen meluluskan pindaan untuk mengiktiraf semula Sabah & Sarawak sebagai Negeri Borneo

• Pindaan Perlembagaan itu berkuat kuasa pada Februari 2022

Ini sesuatu yang tiada mana-mana Menteri Persekutuan dari Sabah pernah capai — termasuk mereka yang berdekad-dekad memegang jawatan tetapi kekal membisu ketika hak Sabah ditarik satu demi satu.

2. Beliau melepaskan jawatan Persekutuan — kerana MA63 disekat.

Jika Dr Jeffrey seorang ahli politik biasa yang mengejar kekayaan, kuasa dan kemewahan, tentu beliau kekal selesa sebagai Timbalan Menteri Persekutuan.

Namun sebaliknya, beliau meletakkan jawatan pada 29 September 2020, kerana di bawah PN:

• Kemajuan MA63 terhenti

• Hak 40% diketepikan

• Tuntutan Sabah dilemahkan oleh Putrajaya

• Kuasa yang dirampas pada 1976 tidak dipulangkan

• Birokrasi menyekat segala pembaharuan

Dr Jeffrey enggan menjadi boneka. Beliau enggan menjadi hiasan Sabahan dalam kabinet. Beliau enggan duduk diam sedangkan masa depan Sabah digantung sekali lagi.

Beliau memilih jalan yang lebih sukar — kembali ke Sabah untuk menghidupkan semula perjuangan.

3. Beliau pulang dan membina semula gerakan dari akar umbi.

Sejurus keluar daripada kabinet Persekutuan, Dr Jeffrey menghidupkan kembali agenda MA63 dan autonomi dengan semangat baru:

• Beliau menghidupkan Sabah For Sabahan

• Beliau melancarkan Justice For Sabah

• Beliau mempengaruhi pembentukan GRS

• ADUN Bersatu keluar beramai-ramai untuk menyertai gerakan tempatan yang diinspirasinya

“Sabah For Sabahan” berkembang menjadi Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga — satu gerakan identiti rakyat yang kuat.

Walaupun bukan atas rekaannya, GRS pada awalnya terpaksa bekerjasama dengan UMNO demi kestabilan — kerana keluar kerajaan ketika itu akan membuka pintu Sabah kepada campur tangan pusat sekali lagi, tanpa sesiapa di dalam untuk menentang.

Sebagai Timbalan Pengerusi GRS, beliau hanya boleh menasihat dan akur kepada konsensus — namun prinsipnya tetap teguh.

4. Ketika Langkah Kinabalu berlaku, beliau mempertahankan Sabah.

UMNO cuba merampas Sabah melalui gerakan politik yang membuka ruang kepada PH untuk masuk campur dengan tuntutan tertentu — antaranya melantik Salleh Said Keruak sebagai Menteri Kewangan Sabah.

GRS bertegas. Mereka tidak tunduk. Dan Sabah terselamat daripada kembali ke cengkaman penuh Malaya.

5. Ketika PH menuntut 22 kerusi (daripada 8), Dr Jeffrey berkata TIDAK.

Beliau memberi amaran kepada Pengerusi GRS bahawa membenarkan PH berkembang secara agresif akan:

• mengundang pengaruh luar lebih dalam

• melemahkan parti tempatan

• memusnahkan gerakan Sabah For Sabahan

• dan menghantar Sabah kembali ke dominasi politik Semenanjung

Melihat GRS terperangkap dengan Isu Perlombongan dan keyakinan rakyat merosot, Dr Jeffrey membuat keputusan penting.

6. Beliau menarik STAR keluar daripada GRS — demi menyelamatkan perjuangan autonomi Sabah.

Langkah berani ini mengejutkan ramai — tetapi ia membangkitkan Sabah.

Tiba-tiba:

• Justice For Sabah meletup

• Sabah For Sabahan kembali dengan kuat

• Parti-parti lain meniru dengan slogan “Sabah First”

• Rakyat bersemangat

• PH jatuh ke 1 kerusi

• UMNO merosot kepada 6 kerusi, Bung hampir tewas

• DAP kalah teruk di Sabah. Tewas di kesemua kawasan bandar yang secara tradisinya adalah kubu mereka.

Ini TIDAK akan berlaku jika STAR kekal diam dalam GRS. Semangat Nasionalime rakyat Sabah tidak akan tercetus jika STAR kekal dalam GRS.

Tindakan Dr Jeffrey membuka pintu gelombang nasionalisme Sabah.

7. STAR mungkin tidak menang besar di atas kertas — tetapi menang besar dalam sejarah.

STAR tidak memenangi banyak kerusi kali ini. Namun kemenangan peribadi Dr Jeffrey sangat jelas:

• Beliau mengurangkan pengaruh luar secara drastik

• Beliau mengembalikan identiti politik Sabah

• Beliau menyedarkan generasi muda

• Beliau memaksa semua parti menerima naratif pro-Sabah

• Beliau menaikkan tahap kesedaran politik

• Beliau membuktikan autonomi ialah arus perdana Sabah

Dan walaupun suara bising bertebaran, Dr Jeffrey sendiri memenangi Tambunan dengan majoriti lebih besar daripada sebelumnya, membuktikan bahawa:

Pada peringkat akar umbi, beliau kekal sebagai salah seorang pemimpin paling dipercayai di Sabah. Dr Jeffrey menang kesemua PDM Tambunan. 16 semuanya. 

Namanya terus menginspirasi. Perjuangannya terus bergema. Visinya terus memandu masa depan Sabah.

KEPUTUSAN AKHIR:

Dr Jeffrey tidak kehilangan apa-apa. Sabah memperoleh segalanya.

Jika beliau kekal dalam GRS, rakyat Sabah tidak akan bangkit.

Jika beliau diam, parti Malaya akan kembali menguasai.

Jika beliau utamakan keselesaan, identiti Sabah akan malap.

Tetapi beliau memilih perjuangan berbanding keselesaan.

Beliau memilih kebenaran berbanding populariti.

Beliau memilih Sabah berbanding dirinya sendiri.

Maka benar — di atas kertas mungkin orang lain menang lebih banyak.

Tetapi dari sudut moral, sejarah, dan politik —

DATUK SERI DR JEFFREY G. KITINGAN ADALAH PEMENANG SEBENAR PILIHAN RAYA INI.

Perjuangannya meletakkan asas kepada Sabah baharu yang sedang bangkit hari ini.

THE GENIUS, SACRIFICE & MORAL VICTORY OF DATUK SERI DR JEFFREY G. KITINGAN

 

Monday, 1 December 2025

There will come a time when Sabahans must stop and evaluate events with clarity — free from propaganda, hatred, or jealousy. And when one examines closely the turbulent years leading to the recent election, one truth becomes impossible to ignore:

The brilliance behind Sabah’s political reawakening

came from the mind and sacrifice of one man —

Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan.

The younger generation may not realise this, but the “Dr” in his name is not merely honorary. He holds a Doctorate in Political Science, specialising in politics, federalism, and constitutional structures.

His entire life has been dedicated to understanding — and correcting — the structural injustice Sabah has endured since 1963.

And this dedication has not been easy.

He has been called a “frog.”

He has been mocked as “crazy.”

He was imprisoned for two years under the ISA, during which his first marriage collapsed under the stress and pain of political persecution. Few Sabah leaders have paid such a personal price for their convictions.

Yet behind the suffering, there were victories — major victories that shaped the fate of Sabah.

1. With just ONE seat, he broke the national power barrier.

When STAR won one seat, many laughed. But few understood the deeper strategy at play.

With that one seat, Dr Jeffrey entered negotiations that helped form the federal government under Perikatan Nasional(PN).

And because he succeeded in breaking that door open, something historic happened:

For the first time in history, MA63 became mainstream national politics.

It was under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s government that:

• Sabah & Sarawak’s partner status was restored

• On 14 December 2021, Parliament passed the amendment to reinsert Sabah & Sarawak as Borneo States

• The constitutional amendment took effect in February 2022

This was something no Sabahan Federal Minister ever accomplished — including those who held federal positions for decades yet stayed silent while Sabah was stripped of her rights.

2. He walked away from federal power — because MA63 was being blocked.

If Dr Jeffrey were the usual politician chasing wealth, power, and perks, he would have stayed happily as a Federal Deputy Minister.

But instead, he stepped down on 29 September 2020, because under PN:

• MA63 progress stalled

• 40% rights were sidelined

• Federal ministries watered down Sabah’s demands

• Powers taken in 1976 were not returned

• Bureaucracy blocked any real reform

Dr Jeffrey refused to be a puppet. He refused to be decorative window-dressing. He refused to sit quietly while Sabah’s future was once again put on hold.

He chose the harder road — to come home and reignite the Sabah struggle.

3. He returned to Sabah and rebuilt the movement from the ground.

Once he left the federal cabinet, Dr Jeffrey relaunched the MA63 and autonomy agenda with renewed force:

• He revived Sabah For Sabahan

• He initiated Justice For Sabah

• He helped engineer the formation of GRS

• Bersatu assemblymen left en bloc to join the local-based movement under his influence

“Sabah For Sabahan” became Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga. A powerful grassroots identity movement.

Although not his design, GRS initially had to work with UMNO for stability — because exiting the government then would have opened Sabah wide to federal interference again with no one in the inside to resist.

As Deputy Chairman of GRS, he could only advise and deferred to consensus — yet he remained consistent with his principles.

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🔥 4. When Langkah Kinabalu struck, he held the line.

UMNO attempted to retake Sabah through political manoeuvring which allowed PH to intervene, demanding concessions — including making Salleh Said Keruak Sabah’s Finance Minister.

GRS stood firm. They refused to bow. And Sabah was saved from falling back into Malaya’s full control.

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🔥 5. When PH demanded 22 seats (from 8), Dr Jeffrey said NO.

He warned the GRS Chairman that allowing PH to expand aggressively would:

• invite deeper external influence

• weaken local parties

• destroy the Sabah For Sabahans movement

• and hand Sabah back to political domination from the Peninsula

Seeing GRS trapped in the Mining Scandal and losing public confidence, Dr Jeffrey made a decisive move.

6. He withdrew STAR from GRS — to save Sabah’s autonomy movement.

This bold move shocked many — but it awakened Sabah.

Suddenly:

• Justice For Sabah caught fire

• Sabah For Sabahan returned with force

• Other parties followed with slogans like Sabah First

• Rakyat were energised

• PH was crushed to 1 seat

• UMNO shrank to 6 seats, with Bung nearly defeated

• DAP suffered a heavy defeat in Sabah. They lost in all the urban areas that were traditionally their strongholds

This would NEVER have happened if STAR stayed quietly inside GRS.

Dr Jeffrey’s exit opened the floodgates of Sabah nationalism.

7. He may not have won big on paper — but he won big in history.

STAR did not secure many seats this round. But Dr Jeffrey’s personal victory is clear:

• He reduced outside political influence drastically

• He revived Sabah’s political identity

• He awakened the youth

• He pressured all parties to adopt pro-Sabah narratives

• He raised the bar for political awareness

• He proved that autonomy is not a fringe idea — it is Sabah’s mainstream

And despite the noise, Dr Jeffrey himself won Tambunan with a larger majority than before, proving that:

At the grassroots level, he remains one of the most trusted leaders in Sabah.

His name still inspires.

His struggle still resonates.

His vision still guides Sabah’s future.

FINAL VERDICT:

Dr Jeffrey lost nothing. Sabah gained everything.

If he had stayed in GRS, Sabahans would not have awakened.

If he had stayed silent, Malayan parties would have expanded again.

If he had put his comfort above the struggle, Sabah’s identity would have dimmed.

But he chose struggle over comfort.

He chose truth over popularity.

He chose Sabah over himself.

So yes — on paper, others may have won more seats.

But morally, historically, and politically —

DR JEFFREY G. KITINGAN IS THE TRUE WINNER OF THIS ELECTION.

His fight laid the foundation for the Sabah that is rising today.