1986 Sabah riots
Encyclopedia
The 1986 Sabah riots occurred between March and May in various locations around the state of Sabah
, Malaysia. The riots centered mainly in the capital Kota Kinabalu
, as well as in the towns of Tawau
and Sandakan
. On March 12, seven plastic explosives were detonated in Kota Kinabalu. A bomb was also detonated in Tawau. The riots resulted in the death of 5 people.
The riots occurred in response to the results of the 1985 state election
, whereby the newly formed Parti Bersatu Sabah
(United Sabah Party) won, ousting Parti Berjaya from the helm of government. Berjaya was the previous ruling party and a component party of Barisan Nasional
(BN), the nation's and federal ruling coalition party. It was reported that mobs took to the streets to bring down the president of PBS Pairin Kitingan from the Chief Minister post.
It was also suspected that the riots were triggered by the losing parties including BN to bring forth a proclamation of emergency
in order to justify a takeover by the federal government similar to those which happened in 1966 in Sarawak
and 1977 in Kelantan
.
PBS later sought to have snap election because of political manoeuvering causing PBS representatives to defect
. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed also tried to negotiate with PBS to form a coalition with BN in return for peace in the state. Finally the election was held on 4 and 5 May, 1986. PBS won again and this time with a bigger margin.
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
, Malaysia. The riots centered mainly in the capital Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu , formerly known as Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah state in East Malaysia. It is also the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah. The city is located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea. The Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park lies on one side and Mount...
, as well as in the towns of Tawau
Tawau
Tawau is the administrative center of Tawau Division, Malaysia and the third largest town of Sabah after Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan.-Geography:...
and Sandakan
Sandakan
Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. It is located on the east coast of the island and it is the administrative centre of Sandakan Division and was the former capital of British North Borneo...
. On March 12, seven plastic explosives were detonated in Kota Kinabalu. A bomb was also detonated in Tawau. The riots resulted in the death of 5 people.
The riots occurred in response to the results of the 1985 state election
Sabah state election, 1985
The 1985 Sabah state election was held from April 20 to April 21, 1985 in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. This was the fifth state election to take place. Parti Bersatu Sabah won 25 out 48 seats contested, thus forming government with its president Joseph Pairin Kitingan being sworn in as Chief...
, whereby the newly formed Parti Bersatu Sabah
Parti Bersatu Sabah
The Parti Bersatu Sabah is a political party in Sabah, east Malaysia. It was registered as a political party on March 5, 1985...
(United Sabah Party) won, ousting Parti Berjaya from the helm of government. Berjaya was the previous ruling party and a component party of Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
(BN), the nation's and federal ruling coalition party. It was reported that mobs took to the streets to bring down the president of PBS Pairin Kitingan from the Chief Minister post.
It was also suspected that the riots were triggered by the losing parties including BN to bring forth a proclamation of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
in order to justify a takeover by the federal government similar to those which happened in 1966 in Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
and 1977 in Kelantan
Kelantan
Kelantan is a state of Malaysia. The capital and royal seat is Kota Bharu. The Arabic honorific of the state is Darul Naim, ....
.
PBS later sought to have snap election because of political manoeuvering causing PBS representatives to defect
Defection
In politics, a defector is a person who gives up allegiance to one state or political entity in exchange for allegiance to another. More broadly, it involves abandoning a person, cause or doctrine to whom or to which one is bound by some tie, as of allegiance or duty.This term is also applied,...
. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed also tried to negotiate with PBS to form a coalition with BN in return for peace in the state. Finally the election was held on 4 and 5 May, 1986. PBS won again and this time with a bigger margin.