Khairul giving his speech at the event.
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 16): Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) direct member Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan says the 17th Sabah state election should be viewed as a democratic process in which all parties and individuals have the right to contest, regardless of how crowded nomination day may become.
Khairul said the large number of candidates seen so far reflected the political openness that comes with elections, rather than a sign of instability.
“As we embrace the spirit of democracy, we also must embrace the idea of political parties being given the freedom to contest.
“At the end of the day, what matters most is the reception and feedback of the people,” he told reporters after officiating the Star Karnival Cuti-Cuti Malaysia (SKCCM) 2025 programme at a shopping mall here Saturday.
Khairul Firdaus said voter sentiment would always shift during an election period, and political parties had the responsibility to communicate clearly with the electorate.
“There are a lot of sentiments being played out, but it is up to the political parties to give the best explanation and the best conclusion to the people.
“You cannot enforce people to believe in your ideology one hundred per cent, and in Sabah, it’s very unique and very localised,” he said.
He said voters continued to evaluate issues based on what affected them in their own constituencies, even when wider state themes were in play.
For him, that meant returning to Batu Sapi to reaffirm confidence among residents.
“I have to go back to my area and make sure the people of Batu Sapi still have faith in the current government,” said the Batu Sapi Member of Parliament (MP).
Meanwhile, Khairul Firdaus, who is also as the Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, said SKCCM event supported preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 by encouraging Malaysians to rediscover destinations and cultural experiences within the country.
The Sabah stop featured cultural showcases, traditional food, craft vendors and travel promotions, and also saw the launch of Fly Borneo Vol. 3: Surreal Experiences, a collaboration involving Tourism Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia Airlines and Firefly to promote curated packages across Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
The SKCCM series, which ran from September to November, recorded more than 200,000 visitors nationwide across Pahang, the Klang Valley, Sarawak, Penang, Johor and Sabah.
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