Stop interfering in Sabah and Sarawak affairs, PAS told

Masiung Banah, Vice President of Gagasan Rakyat, has cautioned the opposition Islamic party against meddling in matters concerning Sabah and Sarawak, accusing it of attempting to inflame relations between the two East Malaysian states and Kuala Lumpur. Banah's remarks target PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, whom he claims is deliberately fuelling divisive politics in the region. The statement underscores growing sensitivities surrounding federalism and state autonomy in Malaysia's eastern territories. Sabah and Sarawak, which joined the Malaysian federation in 1963, have long maintained distinct political and constitutional arrangements distinct from Peninsular Malaysia. Recent political manoeuvres have intensified scrutiny of these relationships, with various groups staking claims to represent the interests of the two states. Gagasan Rakyat's intervention signals concern that national-level political parties are exploiting regional grievances to advance their agendas, potentially destabilising the delicate political balance in East Malaysia.