SOME political analysts argue that Sabah politics is different from Peninsular Malaysia’s.
They point to the demographics of the two territories. Sabah has ethnic communities such as Kadazandusun, Murut, Bajau, Lundayeh, Rungus and Bisaya that influence state politics; Peninsular Malaysia has mostly Malays, Chinese and Indians and only a few Orang Asli groups that aren’t political.
They also contend that Sabah politics is unique because the state has several locally-based political parties, like Parti Warisan Sabah, Parti Sabah Bersatu (PBS), United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), Sabah Star (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno). Parties based in Peninsular Malaysia tend to be national rather than confined to one state; though some do not have a presence in Sabah and Sarawak.