COMMENT | As the names of hundreds of candidates are announced today in Sabah’s 17th state election, it is important to recognise the broad leadership picture of what is happening in Sabah, a dynamic that is fundamentally changing national politics.

The coming polls showcase an ongoing leadership generational change, as new Sabah Turks are rising.

While senior leaders continue to play a defining role in leadership positions from the governor to the chief minister position, the emergence of younger voices across the political divide has strengthened the calls for justice and representation for Sabah.

Old guard: Senior leaders

Two generational features will define the state election and her outcome. The first is long-standing personal relationships and competition among older leaders.

Dynamics among leaders who entered politics in the 1990s, especially when Umno entered Sabah, have been shaping Sabah politics for decades, but in particular since 2018, when Sabah has seen greater political fragmentation and leadership contestation.

These individuals define Sabah politics...