KOTA KINABALU: Two youth groups have expressed alarm over the tone of Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal’s campaign speeches, describing them as increasingly angry and worryingly similar to a hate-driven political strategy.
Sabah Electronic Sports Association president Cheoh High Zhi said Shafie’s rhetoric risked influencing young voters in a negative way, especially when his speeches appeared to frame Warisan as the sole saviour of Sabah while fostering resentment toward the government and rival parties.
“Shafie is selling a holier-than-thou image, as if Warisan is the only party that can improve the lives of Sabahans.
“But are they? Many people believe other parties and their leaders can do the job just as well, maybe even better,” Cheoh said in a statement here on Tuesday.
“So please respect the people’s choice. Don’t go around fanning hatred and fuelling anger,” he added.
Meanwhile, Moyog Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) Youth Chief Lee Ka Lik echoed the concern, calling it irresponsible for Warisan to spread anger simply out of political desperation.
“Please don’t damage the innocence of youths in Sabah. Most of them are not fighting this political battle, but the anger and hatred Shafie sows may remain in them,” he said.
He warned that fiery speeches filled with hostility are dangerous because they normalise aggression, deepen divisions and breed intolerance—particularly among impressionable youth.
“When young people are exposed to messages that vilify others or paint opponents as enemies, it distorts their understanding of constructive political debate.
“It fosters fear, resentment and aggression that can persist long after the election, harming social cohesion.
“Over time, this creates a cycle where mistrust and conflict replace empathy and collaboration, weakening community bonds and the foundations of democracy,” Lee said
Both youth leaders noted that other parties appear to be taking a more constructive approach by presenting their plans and policies instead of attacking opponents.
They said Shafie’s speeches often imply that previous governments and rival parties were entirely wrong, and that only Warisan can fix Sabah—an approach they fear could mislead first-time and young voters.
The concerns reflect a broader anxiety over the impact of aggressive political messaging on Sabah’s youth and democratic participation as the state heads into a crucial election.
