Can Malaysia’s Anwar survive ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ pushback in crucial state election?

A key issue driving Sabahans’ ire is the division of revenue collected from the resource-rich state by the federal government

Joseph Sipalan

South China Morning
12 Nov 2025

Malaysia’s election season kicks into full gear this weekend, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration forced to juggle national priorities with a push for greater autonomy in Sabah, as “Sabah for Sabahans” sentiment gains momentum in the make-or-break state.

The November 29 election in Sabah, one of two states on Malaysian Borneo, is widely seen as a gauge of Anwar’s popularity beyond his strongholds in the peninsula and a potential indicator of how well he could do in his presumed re-election bid in the next national poll that must be held by early 2028 at the latest.

Nomination day is scheduled for Saturday (last Saturday Nov 15th), when hundreds of prospective candidates are expected to hand in their papers for a shot at winning one of the 73 state seats up for grabs.

But the fight for the hearts and minds of the nearly 1.8 million voters is already well under way, as local parties distance themselves from their larger national peers in a bid to ride the surging pushback against federal control.

The latest issue driving voters’ ire against the federal government was a proposal by the attorney general to appeal against last month’s high court ruling confirming Sabah’s constitutional right to 40 per cent of federal revenue collected from the state.

Why a Sunway–IJM Merger Must Be Opposed?

A Case for Competition and National Interest

Lately, speculation has swirled about a possible merger between Sunway Bhd and IJM Corporation. Whether or not the deal actually materialises, the very fact that “the tree leaves are rustling” is a warning sign that there’s a wind blowing. 

Back in 2021, IJM divested its non-core businesses to Sunway. The relation was established. There is a need to be suspicious even though IJM has denied that any approach or proposal has been made. 

This blogger argue strongly against such a merger. The risks are profound as it is creating a near-monopoly in Malaysia’s construction and infrastructure sector, undermining Bumiputera institutional interests, and potentially masking deeper corporate governance and political problems.

Seeking clarity on co-teaching model

 

LETTERS 

Star Online Friday, 07 Nov 2025

THE Education Minister’s plan to introduce a “co-teaching” model in the 2027 school curriculum, where two teachers will conduct lessons together in one classroom, has sparked debate over its practicality and long-term feasibility.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek recently said the initiative aims to make teaching and learning more engaging and effective, ensuring every student receives adequate attention. Although the concept appears promising, its implementation presents several financial, operational, and staffing challenges that warrant clarification from the Education Ministry (MOE).

> Budget and staffing: A key concern is whether the MOE has the budgetary capacity to hire the additional teachers required for the co-teaching system, which effectively doubles the number of classroom educators.

Pondering over education

 

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” 

— Nelson Mandela  

This statement reminds us that education is not only about teaching knowledge but also about shaping a nation’s future. 

In Malaysia, education forms the foundation for social stability and economic progress. Yet, despite its importance, our education system continues to face deep challenges in preparing the younger generation for a rapidly changing world.

Recent tragedies — the death of Zara Qairina, two rape cases in schools, and a gruesome murder in a Petaling Jaya school — have shaken public confidence. Parents now question whether schools are still safe places for learning. Are there enough counsellors, discipline officers, and proper monitoring in schools? 

Many schools lack the trained staff needed to handle emotional and social issues. Teachers, already overworked, often find themselves acting as counsellors and administrators on top of their classroom duties.

Teachers should be focused on pedagogy — the art and science of teaching — yet they are often burdened by paperwork, reports, and clerical tasks. 

M'sians spooked by Pasir Gudang's legally naive "jual negara" drama

When Clowns Masquerade as MPs in Suits

By Mohamad Fakhzan Md Noor

Disclaimer: 

No, I’m not from Oxford or Cambridge — just ITM Law School Shah Alam. But my lecturer always reminded me: check the primary source.

What was signed—and what it is not (yet)

On 26 October 2025, the U.S. and Malaysia signed the “Agreement Between the United States of America and Malaysia on Reciprocal Trade.” 

It’s a legally binding agreement in international law, but it does not take effect immediately. The text itself says it only enters into force 60 days after both sides exchange written notices confirming completion of “applicable legal procedures.” 

Translation: each government still needs to run its own domestic steps before anything bites. Until those steps are certified and exchanged, nothing in the agreement is operative. 

If you want the one-line killer fact: Article 7.2 (Entry into Force) defers application until both sides certify their internal processes. That alone undercuts the “signed today, instantly binding tomorrow” talking point. 

The U.S. government’s own explainer repeats this—domestic procedures first, then entry into force. 

The need for economic literacy

On Budget Day last Friday, Member of Parliament for Bachok, Syahrir Sulaiman called the budget as limping or "tempang" in Malay. It can be misconstrued to also mean handicap, but its him expressing concern on the moderate growth that generate limited fiscal leeway for development. 

Yesterday, Opposition Leader, Hamzah Zainuddin created controversy with Perikatan Nasional counter offer for cash-aid of RM6,000 annually without restrictions and more free education programs. He raised other pertinent issues on the RM50.8 billion development expenditure by GLC and GLIC, lower Petronas dividend of RM20 billion, and somewhat in-sync with government concern on taxation, national revenue, etc. However, it is the cash-aid remark that attracted attention and suspected to be intended to viral. 

The math does not add up and criticised as populist rhetoric. Spending on STR and SARA for 2025 is RM15 billion and for 2026 budget is RM15 billion. Hamzah's plan means allocating  RM51.6 billion for the 8.6 million recipients!

Transforming Tabung Haji: Obviously Rashid Hussein not learned from his past

TH chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain outlined his vision for the institution's long-term financial sustainability with a proposed revision of the Tabung Haji Act 1995 (Act 535). [The details in the Business Times report reproduced at end of this posting.] 

He is suggesting reforms to align with TH's operation by strengthening its depositor base, improving cost-of-fund management, and regulatory safeguards for long-term investments. The gist of his transformation is to turn TH from a syariah-based savings institution into a full fledged Islamic investment company. 

Naturally it is appealing to bankers conversant with such terms as asset-liability mismatch, cost of fund and pursuit for "competitive" return. And there is a professor fascinated with digitalisation, and AI to the prospect of effectively investing in Bitcoins and Stablecoins. 

But it is not unique. 

Rashid is duplicating his rise and fall path as a former securities salesman from Singapore, who established RHB by the rapid growth of acquiring D&C and Kwong Yik Banks.