11-05-2025
Sabar's podcasts examine Sabah's woes
Published on: Sunday, May 11, 2025
Published on: Sun, May 11, 2025
By: Datuk John Lo Text Size: The Political Circus is in Town again. Political circus means that the politicians are going to every limit they can to gain power and in doing so the country [Sabah] suffers. The same political circus for the last 40 years is here again. There may be some new actors, dressed differently, talk with sleekier tongues, social media savvy, more colourful posters and bantings. In essence, their substance is the same. Already they are fighting and demanding for seats publicly, threatening to leave etc. It is like the rainy season, all sort of promises, most of which are imaginary, unreal like pies in the sky. So far, very few leaders have spoken passionately about issues that concern Sabahans' lives, their future generations and numerous other economic problems. The bottom line is that there is little change in our political leaders' ability to erudite economic policies and implementations that can improve lives for Sabahans. To many, the politics of 2025 election is just like all previous elections; what is in it for me, my position, pocket and perks. All Sabah's Problems have been Progressively Accumulated over the 40 years. Most of the leaders are like pots calling the kettle black. Who has bothered to look into the details of Sabah's numerous problems and produce solutions in the last 40 years? If they had, why Sabah still has so much problems? Why the poverty? Pointing fingers do not serve any purpose: [i] All Sabah's major problems have been accumulated over 40 years. All Sabah's major leaders have been responsible in one way or another as they have, with no exception, in government. [ii] These leaders are not solution orientated or have not solutions to make our lives better or get Sabah out of the rut-hole. [iii] These leaders are NATO [No Action, Talk Only]. SABAR's 8 podcasts on issues that can help Political Leaders to Focus on Real Issues. For leaders who are genuinely concerned about Sabahans' interest, please look into issues being highlighted by SABAR. They are good points to start for their manifestos. Chairman of SABAR, Zaine and his team have organised the following podcasts: [1] Sabah's Public Fund- Where does the Money do? [2] Why is Sabah struggling? Unpacking GLCs, Corruption & Lost Billions. [3] The Shocking Reality of Sabah's Water Supply & Infrastructure [How to Fix Them]. [4] Sabah's Infra and Housing Challenges. What is Holding Back Sabah's Progress? [5] Sabah's Silent Struggle: The Truth about its Public Health. [6] Health Care Challenges in Sabah: Explained. [7] Sabah's Autonomy: Unlocking the Key to Quality of Education. [8] Bridging the Gap: Preschool & STEM Educations in Sabah. Please access to follow on YouTube site. SABAR's on-going Podcasts are showing what Sabahans Really Want their Leaders to do for them. The 8 issues in SABAR's podcasts must have touched the raw nerves of many Sabahans, judging from the numerous responses. Hopefully, political leaders, especially those from the major parties, can pay attention to these big issues affecting Sabahans and produce solutions and ideas for these 8 issues in the run up of the coming election. This is a unique opportunity for them to prove they have responsible leadership to Sabahans. SABAR's Grand Finale Town Hall will be in KK's Community Centre on 22nd June 2025. Would be nice if Presidents and Sec Gens of political parties can attend to show they share concerns of issues of Sabahans. Outsiders will Rub Their Hands with Glee! Rub Their Hands with Glee means: to be very pleased about something, often something bad which has happened to an enemy or opponent Sabah, the richest resource state, has produced the highest poverty, most unemployment, highest inflation, most expensive food and housing, no food sufficiency. All these have happened because our leaders have allowed these to happen Sabah. Because of lack of unity, they have let outsiders take over our economic ownership, have made Sabahans economic refugees in our own state. Our economy doesn't belong to Sabahans. Our best land is owned by others. More than 90% of the big projects belong to outsiders. All failed projected by GLCs are JVs with outsiders. More than 90% of oil palm in Sabah belong to outsiders. Can our leaders tell Sabahans what we do own? Outsiders have taken over our economy, they own almost everything. We, Sabahans, what do we have? What do we own? Thanks to Hajiji for having the political courage and nerve to stop it. Outsiders have even blackmailed to topple his government in the mining saga. What next these outsiders will resort to? Scary thoughts! They will eventually succeed if our leaders fail to unite to look after Sabah. Hajiji's Government are in Progress of Solving many of Sabah's fundamental problems. Any leader claiming that he or his party can solve all of Sabah's problem in a whim needs his head examined. Give details, facts and figures on how this can be done. Very rough estimate, Sabah will need more than RM100 billion at least to put things in order. Very costly because of 40 years of negligence, mismanagement. We must expand and grow our economy, attract investments, so that the Government can have more revenue. Lest we forget, we must unite to fight for the 40% net revenue share from the Federal Government ASAP. Already done or in progress are: [i] Regains of oil/gas rights. [ii] Authority over power generation [ECoS]. [iii] ECoS is an outstanding agency, aggressively sorting out Sabah's power shortages. ECoS has approved more than 10 power generation projects and is overseeing their implementation. Power problems expected to be over by 2030. ECoS is 100% Sabahans, from CEO downwards. [iv] Water woes are being addressed. [v] Special mention must be made on the revamp of GLCs which is one of the biggest headaches in Sabah. Google Hajiji and Masidi on their public statements on their dissatisfactions on the performance of GLCs. Hajiji and Masidi have appointed credible people from the private sector/officials in a number of GLCs. Their performance has improved tremendously. Here is the list of GLCs that are doing well: [1] Innoprise [2] SMJ Energy [3] SOGDC [4] Sabah Energy Corporation [5] KKIP [6] Sabah Credit. [7]. POIC Lahad Datu [turned around, has good planning for future development] [8] SDB [turning around]. [9] Sawit Kinabalu. [10] Suria Capital. SEDCO is being turned around with the appointment of James Wong as GGM. The chairmen and CEOs of these GLCs, please share your experience with Sabahans and with other GLCs at SABAR's final townhall.. Sabahan Leaders must address our greatest fears. Our greatest fear is complete economic and political enslavements. Such enslavements have already reached an unacceptable level. All Sabahan political leaders can agree on 'Sabah for Sabahans' or 'Sabahans First Policy'. they can talk about it passionately in their speeches. But, this is a very big BUT, they can't unite to make it a reality. What is the point of talking and not uniting for the sake of Sabah and all Sabahans? Sabahan Leaders should produce Ideas that can Expedite Sabah's Development. Please stop quarrelling. We have suffered enough. We want you to give us a better tomorrow and a bright future for our children. The leaders don't need to look far. Just use some points that SABAR has produced, modify and assimilate them into your manifestos. The solutions for Sabah don't need rocket science. Only common sense, responsible leadership, political courage and love for Sabah. As said before, useless to blame or quarrel. Let the voters hear what each leader or his party can really do for Sabahans, how to better jaga rumah kita. Let this 2025 election be a competition for leaders to showcase their ideas to make Sabah great again. The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
