COMMENT | For decades, Sabahans have lived under a lazy accusation. Every time they push for the full implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), talk about their rights or question Putrajaya’s decisions, someone in the peninsula claims they are being “anti-federal”.

It happens after every election, every speech, and every reminder that Malaysia was built on promises still left unfulfilled.

But the latest election result delivers a blunt message. Sabahans did not reject Malaysia. They rejected national parties that stopped listening to their demands.

Here is the problem. Sabah leaders talk about Sabah rights, MA63, the 40 percent entitlement, and the decades of federal overreach.

However, many West Malaysians brand them as being “hostile” for it, but these are not war cries. They are rights guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

Here is the deal...