COMMENT | Nation hamstrung by corruption and extremism

COMMENT | The Sabah polls have come and gone. Again Malaysia has tested her political maturity with another peaceful election. Kudos to the winners and losers for by participating they make democracy work.

Shafie Apdal may have lost the government, but he remains a formidable political figure, and I hope his political ideology of a united Sabah under God will find traction throughout the country.

This ideology entails several factors for good governance, especially the separation of government from politics and religion as the Federal Constitution dictates.

Although a government is decided by politics, it must be above both in its proper functioning. This is easier said than done. But if there is the will, there will be a way.

Politicians in both state or federal governments must not politicise their office and role in national and regional developments. There must be no payoffs and paybacks for voters as in the past.

Having lived in different countries, I still think Malaysia is a pleasant place to live if endemic corruption...