“Everybody knows that the administration in Sabah is under the control of non-local based parties,” he said, referring to Umno and Bersatu which are members of the ruling GRS coalition.

“And their big bosses are not from Sabah,” he said, pointing out that when important decisions or policy matters such as MA63 are needed, Umno and Bersatu ministers would refer to their “big bosses” first.

Karim said “deep down” within them, the Sabah leaders would love to be like their Sarawak counterparts.

“I believe they are quite envious of us, the full control we have,” he said, referring to GPS (the ruling coalition of Gabungan Parti Sarawak) which has full control in making decisions for the state.

GPS comprises local parties PBB, the Sarawak United People’s Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party.

Karim, a state minister in Sarawak and a member of the Sarawak consultative committee on MA63, said “things might change, maybe after the next general election”.

While not wishing to interfere in matters of another state, Karim said he would “love to have the Borneo states to be independent to make their own decisions”.

However, Sarawak was not giving up the idea of the two territories working together. He said the two states have always been close despite rivalries at times.