Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has projected that no single party will secure a dominant victory in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election. Speaking at a meeting with the Sabah Indian community in Inanam yesterday, the deputy prime minister said his personal assessment indicates that Sabah is likely to be governed by a coalition once again.
He emphasised that political stability must remain the state’s top priority and called on the next administration to focus on preserving harmony across all communities, in line with the principles of the Madani government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Ahmad Zahid highlighted the importance of unity and warned that Malaysia cannot afford internal discord. He praised Sabah and Sarawak for exemplifying cultural tolerance and multicultural cohesion, calling them national models of resilience.
He identified infrastructure as a key area of focus for Sabah over the next five years, stressing the need to improve road networks, electricity supply and access to clean water to support the state’s development alongside the growth of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
“The people of Sabah deserve good roads, clean water and reliable electricity so they can live comfortably,” he said, adding that Malaysia must be prepared to play a greater role in the region’s future.
With Malaysia chairing Asean this year, Ahmad Zahid said the nation stands at a pivotal moment as the region progresses towards becoming one of the world’s strongest economic blocs by 2045. Achieving this, he said, will require political stability, economic dynamism and strong social cohesion.
“This is the time for Malaysia to give its best contribution to the global economy. Asean will become a region with one of the strongest economic capacities in the world, and we must be ready with stability, skilled talent and strong institutions,” he said.
He underscored the need for education reform, particularly the expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet), noting that the government aims for 70% of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates to pursue Tvet programmes by the end of the 13th Malaysia Plan.
“Skilled workers are essential for Malaysia’s future. Tvet will prepare our young people for engineering, architecture, information technology and other high-demand industries,” he added.
Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that national and regional development efforts would continue under the current leadership, stressing that unity and forward planning are essential for Malaysia to thrive within an increasingly competitive Asean landscape.
