Hajiji's emphatic ‘No' to Sabah mining welcome

Daily Express

a day ago

Published on: Sunday, July 13, 2025
Published on: Sun, Jul 13, 2025
By: Datuk John Lo Text Size: NOT new on Attempts to control Sabah's Government and Resources Such attempts have existed since MA 63 because of political disunity. Sabah is famous for religious and racial unity. BUT political unity has been elusive from the very beginning of MA63, from Donald Stephens [later Fuad] and Mustapha down to this very day. Because of persistent political disunity, there have been continuous attempts to control Sabah's government and resources most which have succeeded to varying degrees. Sabah has never had a truly independent Sabahan Government. The party or parties in government had to rely on Malayan parities to stay in power. Such dependence has existed even when the government was under a Sabah based party or a coalition of parties with Malayan parties in charge. Over the years, Sabah has lost control and ownership of the economy. Sabahans do not own/control the 5 major economic sectors of oil palm, oil and gas, tourism, manufacturing, and timber. The loss of ownership of the oil palm industry is most dramatic when Malayan plantation companies 'bought' cheap land from political leaders who have applied for hundreds of thousands of acres at dirt cheap premium. Results? More than 90% of 4.4 million acres of oil palm belong to non-Sabah. No downstream, no jobs for Sabahans. Sabah has created/contributed to enriching many Malayan millionaires and billionaires. Sabah has also created the worst poverty. Past Tactics to Control Sabah and Siphon off Sabah's Resources. Subtle, seldom openly. Many Sabahans know that there have been hidden hands from Malayan politicians and businessmen manipulating Sabah's politics and economy/finance. Sabah's elected politicians were never 'in charge' in the true sense, having to 'refer to KL' or 'ask for greenlight'. Always kowtow. Frequently, Malayan politicians have been accompanied by 'predatory businessmen' to fix lopsided deals that were to Sabah's disadvantage. Many Sabahans, especially senior officials, professionals, and businessmen, know this sort of 'arrangements', helplessly looking at all these exploitations. What's Different in the latest Scandal? The objective and audacity are scary. The entrapment is frightening. The tactics are at a whole new level and dimension, well planned, executed and frighteningly extensive and crude. It is set to entrap ministers and key YBs holding important posts in GLCs by hidden videos like those in the James Bond movies. It has penetrated in the management of a GLC. It is well funded. Never seen before is the possibility of involvement of foreigners. MACC has confirmed it is investigating. 'Taiko' or mastermind has yet to surface and unlikely to appear anytime soon. Blackmail in the form of 'exposé' and threat of 'overthrow' of government to CM Hajiji. Never done before. The whole episode smells foul like a failed CIA plot of 'regime change' in some Latin American countries which have refused to subservient to the big bad Uncle Sam in Washington. Thanks to be to God, Hajiji has the Courage to say 'NO' RESOLUTELY. From information in the public domain, one can quite imagine at some point that Hajiji must have been confronted of the 'scheme' and imminent threat to destabilize his government. Coming so near to the election 2025, he could have taken the easy way out and said yes or play the delay tactics and waited for the election to be over. Hajiji did not take the easy out. This, Sabahans must give him credit for his uncompromising stance to protect Sabah's interest. He has said NO DEAL! He has chosen to reject and not to surrender to the threat to his government. He told them to 'fly kite' and 'get lost.' Courageous. The decision to say 'NO' is not a simple matter. It takes lots of conviction. What Would Happen if Hajiji were to Give in? Not difficult to imagine the dire consequences for Sabah and for Sabahans' future. Sabah would have lost much more than the mineral resources. Sabah would have lost dignity. respect, and possibly the whole economy. Who can tell what would be their next demand? Investors would lose confidence and become wary. Existing investors may not stay and new ones will be reluctant to come. The hard-earned equitable Sabah/Federal relationship would have been lost. With it, also likely the fight for our 40% share of revenue, TSA2012. The CM and the whole Sabah government would be controlled by non-Sabahans with vested interest. Surely, no right minded Sabahan wants this. Disastrous for our future generations. This is Sabah's first existential threat. Major Political Leaders must not glee with happiness over this Scandal. What Hajiji is facing is the worst trial and tribulation that any Sabah CM has been confronted with since MA63. Other CMs and Sabah leaders who have held substantive federal cabinet posts have experienced similar coercions, albeit not as blatant and as crude as this mining scandal. Had Hajiji not firmly put a stop to it, could have festered into an existential threat for our State. Such threats must be treated with the utmost seriousness. As such, all leaders of political parties, who claim to love Sabah, must sink their political differences and condemn this in strongest, unequivocable condemnation because it is an existential threat to Sabah's soverignity and integrity in malaysia by outsiders. 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]