WATCH: ‘Sabah Bangkit’ Features Sabahan Artists Fighting For Political Change

(source: Sabah Bangkit MV)

Today, KGE Studio released a music video titled ‘Sabah Bangkit’ which features eleven Sabahan artists encouraging the youth to fight for political change. The song comes right before the upcoming snap election this 26 September in Sabah.

The five-minute track includes Fareed K-Clique, Noki K-Clique, Tuju K-Clique, Elica Paujin, Velvet, Marsha Milan, Rich Estranged, MKNK, Brie, Andrea, Elle & Sipsofcola. With lyrics like, “What’s the use of re-electing if we lacking power?” and “Anak muda, Sabah BANGKIT! Jangan gentar, Sabah BANGKIT!” which roughly translate to, “The youth, Sabah rise up! Don’t be scare, Sabah rise up!”

Watch it here: 

Speaking of everything political in Sabah right now, a youth-group called Pulang Mengundi Sabah, came together to help crowdfund and coordinate efforts to send young Sabahans air tickets to fly back home this month for the snap election.

According to Malay Mail, the group of nine activists are pooling resources, expertise, experience and networks to help this initiative before 26 September.

“The initiative started middle of last month. We have reached out to the society about the crowdfunding by posting on Facebook and Twitter. We also have contacted airlines which are currently still in the middle of the discussion”, said Zariah Zakaria, one of the group members.

Zariah, who is also a University Malaya post-graduate, said that they want to foster the process of democracy and remain bipartisan.

(source: Malay Mail)

Besides her, Aaron Denison Deivasagayam, who was also a co-initiator for the Pulang Mengundi Mahasiswa campaign during the previous election (GE14), said that this effort is considered smaller as it only involves domestic travel.

“The motivation is the same as before, we want to get people home if they want to be part of the democratic process. We are focusing on helping youths either working or studying in the peninsula to go back home to Sabah to cast their votes. Voting is a right and one should be able to go back to vote regardless of their affiliation,” he said.

Aaron said he was aware that voter apathy, stemming from disappointment in politicians as well as the current Covid-19 pandemic that has impacted livelihoods as well as caused health risk issues which have led to a lack of enthusiasm for those who may have otherwise considered returning home.

So far, some 1,600 applicants have applied to benefit from their effort. Most are from West Malaysia, but some are from Sarawak and a few applied from within Sabah, asking for bus fares to return to their hometowns.

Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more information.