Sabah’s frequent political shifts have slowed its development, Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said when reasoning why it is preventing the state from matching Sarawak’s progress. 

He noted that while Sarawak has maintained stable leadership since 1963, Sabah has seen governments change every five to ten years.

“If you look at all the media and WhatsApp groups, they are asking, why can’t we be like Sarawak?” 

“Sarawak has never changed its core leadership, but in Sabah, every government change brings new policies. That affects development,” he said during the Parti Bersatu Sabah Chinese New Year open house on Wednesday night. 

Gunsalam is PBS acting president. 

He said political instability has hindered its progress despite Sabah’s natural wealth.

“We were rich before, and we are still rich. But because of unstable politics, we have not developed as much as Sarawak has,” he added.

He stressed that stability is key to long-term economic growth.

“Political stability must come first before we can talk about physical development,” he said.

His remarks come as Sabah grapples with economic challenges and shifting political alliances.

The state has seen various government changes over the past six decades and it was common practice during political shifts, the political leaders in Sabah replace and adopt new policies each regime change.

These led to numerous complications and slow downs.

Some analysts say the state’s frequent leadership changes—often driven by party defections—have stalled progress.

While Gunsalam did not suggest specific reforms, his comments signal an implicit admission that Sarawak has outpaced Sabah due to its stable governance. – February 6, 2025.