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 Tunku 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 Tunku Abdul Rahman, beginning their rampage.

The above three photos kept in my album were taken at Karamunsing area next to Jalan Tunku 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.

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.

Preserving Lion and Dragon Dance Tradition in CNY

I remember talking about preservation of the performance of unicorn and lion troupes during CNY way back in 2013 (Read here). Over the years, with less and less Chinese and more and more non-Chinese involved in keeping this tradition "alive", the question was - how long could this tradition be maintained!

It turns out that such worry in fact is unnecessary. CNY in 2025 saw a very significant increase in both the number and frequency of the performances of  lion and dragon troupes. Literally from CNY Eve to Chap Goh Mei, the final day of CNY.

In the past, martial arts demonstration and lion or unicorn dance were part and parcel of a typical performance (Read here). But these days, it appears that most troupes only devote or concentrate on the dance and less demonstration of martial arts by troupes members. Whether it's because of the shortage of martial arts instructors or less troupe members are interested in this demanding skill, I cannot be sure!

But the chance for these troupes to collect angpows in the festive season undoubtedly is something they find it difficult to resist! Still money is probably the key incentive to keep something going :)

02.02.2025 (Day 5) at Gaya Street Sunday Market.

05.02.2025 (Day 8) at Wisma SHELL.

08.02.2025 (Day 11) at Borneo Sports Arena.

10.02.2025 (Day 13) at Damai Plaza.

Chapter 37: CNY Unicorn & Lion Dance of Yesteryears

On 2 February 2024, Pope Francis received a delegation from the Italy-China National Federation in a special audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. Among the highlights of the visit was a vibrant cultural performance by a troupe from the Chinese Martial Arts Academy of Vercelli, who brought the traditional Dragon and Lion dance to life within the Vatican walls.

In a symbolic and rarely seen gesture, Pope Francis was invited to perform the "dotting of the eye" on the Lion - a ritual deeply rooted in Chinese tradition, believed to awaken and empower the Lion to fulfill its role of bringing good fortune, health, and prosperity to all present. This act, often carried out at the beginning of festive celebrations, was met with appreciation by many as a gesture of goodwill, openness, and intercultural respect.

Yet, the moment was also striking in its rarity. It is uncommon to see the head of the Roman Catholic Church engaging in a practice that some conservative followers might perceive as incongruous with their theological framework. Nonetheless, the Pope’s action reflects his broader vision of dialogue, cultural exchange, and a Church that reaches out beyond boundaries- both geographical and ideological.

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In the 1950s through to the mid-1960s, the old Lok Yuk School at Signal Hill - where I completed my primary education and part of my secondary education - had its own unicorn dance troupe. What made it special was that the troupe members were students of the school themselves. Each year, in the lead-up to the Chinese New Year, they underwent intensive martial arts training in preparation for public performances around the town of Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu).

Throughout the festive season, the troupe members made a notable sacrifice: they had to forgo celebrating Chinese New Year with their families, relatives, and friends. I believe it was a sacrifice they accepted willingly, with pride. One of my primary school classmates, who also happened to be my neighbour, was an enthusiastic member of the troupe. During that season, he was absent from our usual childhood routines - roaming the village, playing games, setting off firecrackers, and receiving ang pow from the elders.

Every year, before the unicorn was officially launched for the New Year festivities, a Blessing Ceremony was held. I remember taking part in one such ceremony, possibly in 1964 or 1965, when I was either in Bridge Class or Form One. The ceremony, traditionally conducted in the late afternoon or early evening of Chinese New Year’s Eve, was held at a small hill beside the old basketball court. It was led by the church pastor and attended by the troupe leader, the unicorn handler, and other participants. The ceremony began with a short exhortation followed by a prayer of blessing for both the unicorn and the troupe members. Then came a symbolic act: the unicorn was led to pluck a few green leaves from a nearby tree, chew them, and swallow. This gesture signified that the unicorn had been fed and was now ready to begin its duties.

The unicorn troupe of Lok Yuk School was eventually disbanded, likely sometime between the mid to late 1960s. The reasons for its dissolution were never made fully clear. However, I recall hearing murmurs from some members of the Basel Church that maintaining a unicorn troupe under the church's jurisdiction conflicted with the Christian faith. It was common during performances at homes where ancestral worship or Buddhist practices were observed for the unicorn to bow or pay homage at altars - acts some deemed inappropriate for Christian students to participate in. Whether this theological concern directly led to the troupe’s disbandment remains uncertain, but it may well have played a role.

Interestingly, around the same period, La Salle School in Kota Kinabalu - under the Roman Catholic mission - also had a lion dance troupe. That troupe, too, was eventually disbanded.

Colourised Photo.

A female schoolmate, Lynette recently pointed out that she and another classmate of her were also members of the troupe. She is seen squatting next to a unicorn at front row second from left in this old photo. Her classmate , a daughter of a Pastor of Basel Church Jesselton then is at her left.

Troupe performed along the streets of old KK.

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These days, lion, unicorn, and dragon dance troupes remain a vibrant part of the cultural landscape in Kota Kinabalu. Many are now organized under the boards of Chinese vernacular schools or managed by Chinese temples. While the traditions continue, an interesting shift has taken place in recent years: the ethnic composition of these troupes has changed significantly.

In some cases, the majority of troupe members are no longer Chinese. For instance, in the SJK(C) Yick Nam Dragon, Unicorn, and Lion Dance Troupe, Chinese students reportedly make up only about 5% of the members. (Read here)

I wrote a blog post back in February 2013 reflecting on the state of lion dance and its connection to Chinese cultural identity. A decade on, the trend of declining Chinese participation in these traditional performing troupes not only persists - it appears to be irreversible. (Read here)

In contrast, an encouraging development has been taking place in Australia. In Perth, the lion dance is enjoying a surge in popularity, particularly among Australians of Chinese descent. This resurgence can be attributed to the active efforts of Chinese clan associations that promote cultural heritage and identity through lion dance. Additionally, many Chinese parents there encourage their children to take part in lion dance troupes, seeing it as a meaningful way to stay connected to their roots while learning valuable skills and discipline through the art.

This heartening news was shared with me just this morning during an online Bai Nian session with family members from Australia and Singapore - a timely reminder that while traditions may evolve or shift in one place, they can also flourish and find renewed life in another.

An Untold Story in Kamloops, Canada

The recent news about the discovery of 215 remains of indigenous children in a former Indian Residential School in Kamloops (Read here) instantly brought back memory of our visit to this town way back in August 2017, just over four years ago. 

Kamloops was a total unknown before we planned our trip to Canada.  In the sector of our driving tour between Hope and Revelstoke via Kalowna which is approx. 440Km, we decided not to drive this route in one go but to look for an intermediate place to spend a night. We chose Kamloops.

That evening in Kamloops, we walked to Riverside Park. Little did we knew that we were just over 4Km away from the former Indian Residential School, at the opposite side of Thompson River. At that point of time, the tragedy had not been uncovered yet.

The bodies in unmarked graves were uncovered using ground penetrating radar equipment. The discovery triggered massive grief and anger among the indigenous community across the whole of Canada. Some went so far to say that it was a genocide of the indigenous people.

The former Residential School was run by Catholic Church from 1890 to 1969 before it was taken over by the Canada federal government to serve as day school until 1978. The aim of the original school was to assimilate the indigenous children into Canadian society. Kids as young as 3 years old were taken from families and put there. They were forced to convert to Christianity. Records show that children were punished for speaking their Aboriginal language, bedwetting, running away and smiling at children of the opposite sex. Punishment could be in the form of whipping, strapping, beatings and other forms of abuse and humiliation. It was a tragedy of unimaginable scale. Some claimed that as many as 6,000 children had died.

These days, has this superiority complex of certain people ceased? Probably not. Malaysia too is guilty of this. Attempt had been made by the previous Harapan government to discourage this (Read here). 

The previous Minister in the Prime Minster's Department said that people should recognize and respect the religion and culture of the Orang Asli and not to assimilate them into the cultural and religious norm of other societies.

In a society where the political system that thrives on race and religion, the dominant race seems determine to up the number of a particular race to ensure they are always in the dominant position. An easy way is through assimilation. 

The attempt to undo assimilation may therefore prove difficult because the policy of assimilation was more for political reason then genuine integration into the multi-ethnic society of Malaysia.

Each peg marks the remains of a child.

Hearing Aid 2

Just over three years ago, I had a hearing test which confirmed that my hearing has deteriorated. The audiologist did assure that putting on hearing aid would help to restore some of my hearing loss back to a reasonable level (Read here). However, I did not pursue this further mainly because of the exorbitant cost of acquiring a set of hearing aid of acceptable quality.

Through the help of a relative, I managed to see an ENT doctor at a local government hospital at the end of February 2018 and followed up with a hearing test by an audiologist in early April 2018. At the end of the test, I was offered a variety of hearing aids to choose from and to select a type of personal choice. I was advised by that specific audiologist against choosing the smallest type because they may not be that sensitive. I opted for the medium range which if worn would "unfortunately" be fairly noticeable.

The set selected would have looked like this!

When I was finally asked to pick up the set offered to me at a government appointed private outlet on 27 December 2018, the set is miniature and is hardly noticeable when worn. Unlike the earlier set used for the trial in April, this set has very little background noise. It is the background noise I believe that has discouraged many people from wearing the aid. But on second thought, it is probably the high cost of its acquisition that is the major hindrance.

The benefit of wearing the hearing aid was instantly felt. My TV volume is turned down from 50 at pre-wearing stage to 25-30 at post wearing stage. In the end, through personal experience, I have no hesitation in recommending hearing aids to individuals who suffer from hearing loss.

I am one of those most fortunate to be able to acquire a set for free. As a spouse of a government pensioner, this is a benefit that I have to give credit to the Federal Government.  

STS 29th Graduation 2018

The 29th Graduation Ceremony of Sabah Theological Seminary (STS) was held on 02.11.2018 at the STS Auditorium. As in previous years, members of the Board of Governors and faculty were seated on stage. From our vantage point, we enjoyed a grand view of the entire assembly - the graduands, their families, friends, and guests who had gathered to celebrate this significant milestone in the life of the seminary and its students.

The graduation ceremony was officiated by the BOG's Chairman, Datuk Elder Peter Lee and the Principal, Dr. Wilfred John who took over from Dr. Thu in January 2015 (Read here).

Board of Governors and faculty members.

Graduating students seated at left.

Rev. Datuk Dr. Thu and Chairman, Datuk Elder Peter Lee.