In 1985 , following the state elections , Pairin Kitingan of Parti Bersatu Sabah ( PBS ) became the seventh chief minister and this marked the second time in Malaysia where a party not affiliated with the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional ( BN ) or its predecessor , the Alliance Party , formed government in any state ( preceded by Gerakan in Penang in 1969 and followed by PAS in Kelantan in 1990 ) . Along in the same year , Moro Pirates attacked Lahad Datu , killing 21 people and injuring 11 others in an event known as the 1985 Lahad Datu ambush . In 1986 , opponents of the newly elected PBS government started riots around the state , mainly in the cities of Kota Kinabalu , Tawau and Sandakan , resulting in bombings and five fatalities . Peace was gradually restored following a snap election in 1986 which consolidated PBS ' position as the ruling state government
1985 Lahad Datu ambush
1985 Lahad Datu ambush
History of Sabah