The 1967 Sabah state election were held between 8 April to 23 April 1967, with nomination day on 8 March 1967.[1] This was the first state election to take place, after Sabah independence from British and subsequently joining Malaysia in 1963.
After Sabah independence from British rule in 16 September 1963, the state Legislative Assembly was created with appointment of local leaders, called The Legislative Executive, from various communities of Sabah, and representing the Local Council Jurisdiction.[4]
Donald Stephens, from UPKO, was appointed the first Chief Minister of Sabah. UPKO mainly were representing the Kadazandusun community, with Stephens as its Paramount Leader. USNO, the other main party in the Assembly, were representing the Malay-Muslim community, and together with SCA and Sabah Indian Congress (SIC) created the Sabah Alliance coalition. USNO's leader Mustapha Harun was appointed as the state's first Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
Stephens relinquished his post at the end of 1964 to become the state's second federal minister, and were replaced by the Sabah's first federal minister and SCA leader Peter Lo on 1 January 1965. Mustapha meanwhile resigned from his Yang di-Pertua Negeri post on 16 September 1965, to prepare for the upcoming state election scheduled in 1967, in which he will be contesting. Stephens decided not to contest the state election, instead focusing on the federal seat in the next Malaysian general election.[5]
Mustapha, the leader of USNO & Sabah Alliance, were sworn in as Chief Minister on 11 May, along with his cabinet ministers from USNO and SCA.[6] He replaces previous CM, Peter Lo who lost in the election.[7] This was the start of the 9-year rule of Sabah Alliance led by USNO's Mustapha in Sabah.
UPKO council led by Stephens decided on December that year to dissolve the party, and the remaining UPKO assemblymen and members to join USNO.[8][9] Stephens himself decided to retire from politics, until forming BERJAYA with several ex-USNO members in 1975.
.svg){kind=small}
