Persistent Turbulence of Sabah Politics - From 1963 to 2025

November 2025 drew to a close with a major shift in the Sabah State Election, which saw significant losses for several West Malaysian–based political parties. All eight DAP candidates were defeated. Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) fielded 12 candidates and won one seat. Barisan Nasional (BN) contested 45 seats and secured six victories.

In the midst of the campaign, United Progressive Kinabalu Organization (UPKO) president Ewon Benedick resigned from the Federal cabinet just days before polling, following concerns over the Federal Cabinet’s position on the 40% special grant claim that had recently been affirmed by a court ruling in a suit brought by the Sabah Law Society. He also voiced his view that the new Sabah state cabinet should be composed solely of representatives from Sabah-based parties. Ultimately, however, he accepted a ministerial post in the new administration, which includes members from PH and BN. These developments have led many observers to question how the new cabinet will balance expectations of accountability, consistency and public confidence moving forward.

Another piece of puzzling political news involved STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan. Although STAR contested forty seats, the party managed to win only two. After learning that one of its two elected assemblymen - the representative for Bingkor - had been appointed as an Assistant Minister by the Chief Minister, Jeffrey Kitingan announced that STAR would remain in the opposition bloc while simultaneously allowing his party member to retain the Assistant Minister post. This contradictory stance has raised questions about political coherence and the ethical principles guiding the party’s decisions.

With such inconsistencies, many are left wondering whether a long-term culture of integrity and good governance can truly take root under the prevailing political mindset.

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Sabah politics has never been short of drama, intrigue and calamity. In fact, it has experienced some of the most dramatic and turbulent political shifts in Malaysia since the nation’s formation in 1963.

USNO, which had governed Sabah since 1963, was defeated in the 1976 state election by the newly formed BERJAYA party. Berjaya secured 28 seats, while USNO won 20, ending more than a decade of USNO’s political dominance. After years of mounting public dissatisfaction over corruption, patronage networks, and uneven development under USNO’s rule, Berjaya campaigned on a platform centred on reform, clean governance and greater inclusivity - promising to restore integrity, efficiency and progress to the state.

However, the new administration was struck by tragedy just two months later. On 6 June 1976, several key members of Berjaya’s freshly appointed cabinet, including Chief Minister Tun Fuad Stephens were killed in the Double Six plane crash. The sudden loss of the state's top leadership not only shocked Sabah but also altered the course of its political and developmental trajectory.

To this day, many still wonder how different Sabah’s future might have been had that disaster never occurred.

Nine years later in 1985, Berjaya itself was toppled by another newly formed party: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS). In that election, PBS won 25 seats, Berjaya only 6, and USNO 16. The narrow PBS majority immediately triggered political tension. What followed was one of the most unsettling episodes in Sabah’s modern history.

Discontent quickly escalated into street riots, later known as the “Silent Riot.” The unrest involved bombings, arson, clashes between groups and widespread civil disorder, particularly in Kota Kinabalu, but also in Tawau and Sandakan. Reports described mobs setting fire to vehicles and shoplots, confronting police officers and causing chaos across the city. The situation became so severe that the authorities were forced to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew to restore order. That incident was a dark chapter of Sabah.

I personally witnessed part of this turmoil firsthand. At the time the riot broke out in April 1985, my office was located on one of the upper floors of one of the three tower blocks of Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens, overlooking Jalan Tungku Abdul Rahman. I was at my desk when I saw agitators beginning to overturn and burn cars below. Moments later, management instructed us to evacuate immediately and return home. It was a frightening and unforgettable moment - one that left a permanent black mark on Sabah’s political memory.

My office was located on one of the upper floors of the right tower of Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens, giving me a clear view of the unfolding chaos. From there, I could see the rioters confronting the police before they surged down Jalan Tungku Abdul Rahman, beginning their rampage.

The above three photos kept in my album were taken at Karamunsing area next to Jalan Tungku Abdul Rahman after the curfew was lifted.

In the 1994 state election, PBS once again secured 25 out of 48 seats and Joseph Pairin Kitingan was duly appointed Chief Minister. However, within just two weeks, a wave of defections among PBS assemblymen caused the government to lose its majority. The administration collapsed almost overnight, prompting the Head of State (TYT) to invite Barisan Nasional (BN) - a West Malaysia political alliance, with UMNO as its central pillar, to form the new government. This episode remains one of Malaysia’s most cited examples of how political defections can overturn the electorate’s expressed will.

From that point until 2018 - a span of 24 years - the state government was dominated by BN, which won the subsequent state elections in 1999, 2004, 2008 and 2013. In the 2018 election, a newly formed Sabah-based party, Parti Warisan Sabah (WARISAN), allied with national opposition coalitions, won 29 seats. The WARISAN-led coalition subsequently formed the state government under Shafie Apdal. Following later political realignments, the coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) emerged victorious in the next election, securing 38 of 73 seats and assuming government leadership, while WARISAN held 32 seats as the opposition.

In the most recent election, many voters had hoped for a return to governance led by local Sabah-based parties, rather than coalitions largely directed from Peninsular Malaysia. However, that anticipated transformation did not materialize.

November 2025 - A Month Etched in Both Celebration and Sorrow

November 2025 will be remembered as a month filled with extraordinary events. On 26.11.2025, my grandson Nathan, proudly shared by his mother, began shaving for the very first time. It may seem like a small, quiet act but it carries deep meaning. Shaving marks a boy’s gradual transition into adolescence and eventually adulthood. It symbolizes the shift from dependence toward autonomy, responsibility and individuality.

Just two days later, Nathan boarded a flight with his classmates, leaving his hometown for an 8D7N school trip to Sydney and Canberra. Watching him embark on this journey filled me with both pride and nostalgia.

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His trip also stirred memories of my own very first visit to Sydney many years ago. It was back in August 1993, when my wife and I brought our three children on a tour to Australia, with Sydney as one of our stops. Serene, Nathan’s mother was slightly younger than Nathan is now.

It’s incredible how swiftly time moves. One generation grows up, and another begins the same journeys in their own way. Moments like these remind me of the gentle, beautiful continuity of life, how our stories echo through our children, and how every new milestone carries a piece of the past forward.

At the Sydney Opera House.

At Sydney Harbour Bridge.

At the Three Sisters rock formation in Blue Mountains.

At the Wildlife Park in Sydney.

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On that very same day when Nathan shaved for the first time, news broke around the world of the deadliest fire in decades at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po District, Hong Kong. The tragedy claimed 146 lives and left 76 injured.

In the days that followed, heart-wrenching accounts from survivors emerged. One survivor expressed her anguish with words that deeply pierced the heart: “Forty years’ worth of memories have all been lost… All the old photos of my children are gone. It’s hard to recall what they looked like as kids, and that’s the most painful.”

Her grief was not only about the physical loss of possessions, but the irreplaceable disappearance of cherished memories, the moments captured in photographs that once preserved the faces, smiles and childhood of her children.

Hearing her words, I could almost feel the weight of her sorrow. To imagine living out the rest of one’s life without the comfort of those precious images is profoundly heartbreaking. It is a reminder of how fragile our keepsakes are, and how deeply they are tied to our sense of history, identity and family.

This incident serves as a powerful reminder to safeguard old photos not only in albums, but also through digital backups - in clouds, personal archives, blogs or other secure platforms.

Teaching Roots, Global Dreams - The Story of a Sabah Family

It was about two months ago that I last visited Papar on 26.09.2025 (Read here). Thanks to my wife, I had another chance on 22.11.2025 to drive her to attend another wedding celebration of the daughter of Abidin, a former high school principal in the District of Papar.

Remarkably, it had been almost twenty years since my wife left SMK St, Mary in 2006. And now, Abidin has since risen to become the Deputy Director of the Sabah State Education Department.

The celebration was held at his home in Kampong Berundong to mark the wedding of his daughter, Nur Khaleeda, and her Irish husband, Matthew O’Riodan - both of whom are medical doctors.

Later, in a casual conversation with Abidin, we asked whether any of his children had followed in his footsteps by becoming teachers. His answer was no. Through that exchange, it became clear that in many rural parts of Sabah, the older generation often began their careers as teachers, an honorable and stable profession that opened doors for entire families. Over time, this foundation in education has enabled many of their children to pursue higher education and rise to become doctors, engineers, lawyers and other professionals.

The marriage of Matthew, who comes from Ireland, a predominantly Roman Catholic country (over 70%) to a Muslim woman from Sabah represents yet another sign of generational change. In an increasingly interconnected world, such unions are becoming more common, reflecting broader openness and global exposure among today’s youth. It would not be surprising if the newlyweds eventually choose to build their future in Ireland or the UK rather than in Sabah.

This shift symbolizes a wider societal transformation: as education, mobility and global awareness expand, younger generations are empowered to imagine possibilities far beyond the boundaries of their hometowns.

With the bride's father, Abidin and another ex-staff member of SMK St. Mary, Limbahau, Mr. Han.

With the newly wed couple, bridegroom's parents and his brother. 

With Halim, brother-in-law of the bride's father. We attended the wedding of the son of Halim also held in Papar back on 02.12.2023 (Read here).

With Halim's wife (2nd from left) and Aziz (right), a former lecturer of Gaya Teachers Training College where my wife spent almost three years (2006 - 2008) as the Deputy Director of the college.

At the Photo Booth.

A New Family at the Window Ledge

After fourteen years since a spotted dove first built a nest and raised chicks on our window ledge (Read here), another dove has now chosen the very same spot to start a family. This particular bird is unusually friendly and unafraid of human touch. We’ve decided to let it settle and raise its young in peace, knowing that one day the little ones will eventually spread their wings and fly away.

To some Chinese who hold the traditional belief that if a bird chooses to nest and lay eggs at one’s home, especially by the window, is a deeply auspicious sign. Birds are regarded as celestial messengers that bridge heaven and earth, and their choice to dwell near humans symbolizes the arrival of good fortune, harmony, and positive energy.

The act of nesting is considered to represent family unity, renewal, and hope. The eggs embody new beginnings and the flourishing of life, reflecting human values of nurturing, protection, and stability. Some also believe that birds choose homes with good qi, a sign that the environment is balanced and spiritually harmonious. A bird choosing to lay eggs on one’s window ledge is thus more than a simple act of nature, it is a reminder of peace, prosperity, and the enduring cycle of life.

30.10.2025 (Day 1)

01.11.2025 (Day 3)

10.11.2025 (Day12)

Then on 13.11.2025, one brave little dove took the leap of faith, jumped off the ledge and vanished, presumably soaring off into its new life. Unfortunately, its sibling didn’t share the same luck and was found dead the next day on 14.11.2025.

And after dealing with the mess, feathers and the generous “gifts” they left behind, we have decided: this will be the last spotted dove to enjoy our five-star window-ledge maternity ward!

Tuaran Crocodile Farm

Just three weeks ago, the four of us, my wife, Sam, our granddaughter Maddie, and I visited the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park. Inside the park, we came across a pond designated for crocodiles, but unfortunately, there wasn’t a single one in sight.

Then, on 7 November 2025, a few of our Connect Group members made a trip to the Tuaran Crocodile Farm. The farm, which officially opened to the public in 2004, was initially established as a crocodile breeding facility for commercial purposes. Recognizing its tourism potential, the owner later decided to open it to visitors. I recall visiting this farm during its early years. Unfortunately, I can no longer remember much about my first visit, but I do remember the second one vividly, when my wife and I cycled from KKIP to the Tuaran Race Course, stopping briefly at the farm’s entrance on our way back in March 2018 (Read here).

To keep visitors engaged, the farm also houses a variety of other animals besides crocodiles. Among them, we saw pythons, bearcat, arapaima, catfish koi fish, an otter, macaque and a few helmeted guinea fowl. 

The only schedule programs at the farm are crocodiles feeding and crocodiles show. The feeding sessions are one of the highlights of the Tuaran Crocodile Farm experience. 

That morning, we saw the keepers first banged on the metal gate and crocodiles immediately approached the area near the gate. Dead chickens were then thrown in triggering a rush of these ancient reptiles for the food. 

Our group waited to witness the scheduled crocodile show at 11.00am that morning. The performance took place in an enclosed arena where trained handlers carried out a series of daring demonstrations. Two keepers stepped into the enclosure, armed only with long wooden poles and their own body language to command the reptiles. That morning, besides our group of eleven, there were only three other spectators - a young Korean couple with their little son - allowing us to move freely to have closer and unobstructed view of the action.

The first stunt was one of the handlers coaxed a crocodile to open its huge jaws, then slipped his arm inside its mouth for several seconds before pulling it out safely. The second act was - another handler climbed onto the crocodile’s back and lay down flat across it, demonstrating remarkable composure and control over the formidable creature.

My sentiment after visiting the farm was one of quiet disappointment. It felt like another case of progressive neglect and poor maintenance, much like what I had observed at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park (Read here) and Taman Bandukan Riverside Resort (Read here). Many areas of the farm that were once clearly designed to showcase activities or attractions have now been left to decay - overgrown, unkempt and forgotten. Sadly, this seems to reflect a recurring trend and culture in many local attractions that were once full of promise but are now struggling to sustain their upkeep and appeal to visitors and tourists alike.

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Immediately after leaving the farm, we headed to D'Dalit Transit Restaurant for lunch. The restaurant is located just a mere 750 m from the farm. This was my second visit to the place. My first encounter with it was on 18 May 2024, when I dropped my wife off there for a reunion lunch with her former students from SMK St. John, Tuaran. Although I didn’t dine at the restaurant on that occasion, it left me with an unforgettable memory, the result of a brief but rather amusing lapse of memory. (Read here).

STS 36th Graduation in 2025

Ever since the completion of the STS' Multi-Purpose Education Centre in May 2010, the graduation ceremonies for STS students have been held annually at the auditorium, usually in October or November. Prior to that, the ceremonies were typically conducted in church buildings, with BCCM KK being the preferred venue.

My involvement with STS practically started from the moment I was nominated to serve on the STS Board of Governors more than thirty years ago. I first served as the Secretary of the Board, and later became actively involved in the implementation of various campus development projects. The first major project was the Administration Building which began in 1990 and completed in 1994. This was followed by the six-storey Lecturers Apartment Block which was completed in 1997. Soon after, construction of the New Students Hostel Block commenced and completed in 1999. The most recent major project was the Multi-Purpose Education Centre, completed in May 2010.

The recent graduation held on 1 November 2025 at the STS Auditorium carried special significance, as it also marked the farewell of Rev. Datuk Dr. Thu En Yu, the long-serving Principal of Sabah Theological Seminary. Widely regarded as the key figure behind the seminary’s establishment, he faithfully helmed its leadership for 38 years, apart from a brief period when another lecturer took over (Read here).

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The night before on 31.10.2025, a grand graduation dinner was held at Port View Palace Hall.

The three professionals who have been closely associated with the development of STS' infrastructure. From left: Alfred Lee (C&S Engineer), Chong Su Leong (Quantity Surveyor), Henry Chu (Architect) and Principal, Dr. Thu. (Photo taken after the dinner).

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The history of Sabah Theological Seminary (STS) is closely tied to the growth of Christian ministry and theological education in Sabah. Its beginnings trace back to the early 1980s, when the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia (BCCM) founded the Pusat Latihan Alkitab Kota Kinabalu (PLAKK) to train lay leaders and evangelists serving rural and indigenous communities.

As the church expanded, the need for a formal theological institution led to collaboration between the BCCM and the Anglican Church of Sabah, culminating in the founding of STS in January 1988 with 21 students. Its first graduation in November 1990 marked a milestone in equipping men and women for ministry.

STS became the first theological seminary in Malaysia to offer courses in Bahasa Malaysia, alongside programmes in English and Mandarin, reflecting Sabah’s multicultural Christian context. Today, it provides accredited theological education from certificate to postgraduate levels through regional associations such as Association of Theological Education in Southeast Asia (ATESEA) and South East Asia Graduate School of Theology (SEAGST).

Located on Signal Hill, Kota Kinabalu, the seminary has faced recurring landslide challenges, notably a major incident in 2021, which caused significant infrastructure damage. Yet, the STS community has remained resilient, sustained by local and international support.