Why ‘Sabah for Sabahans' justified

Daily Express

15 hours ago

Published on: Sunday, July 27, 2025
Published on: Sun, Jul 27, 2025
By: Datuk John Lo Text Size: NATIONAL Leaders Should Manage Nation, Let Sabah Leaders Manage Sabah. Let us clear this out of the way first. Meaning of Sabah leaders is that they are from Sabah-based parties. Best if federal leaders can concentrate providing economic leadership on nation building. Let Sabah parties to govern Sabah for two reasons: [1] Malaysian Economy is not doing that great. Malaysia's performance is ok but far from best that we are capable of. Malaysia has potential to be at the top if the national leaders can solve racial-based politics, low productivity, lack of direction in innovation and research and poverty. Dragging down Malaysia are two major causes: First is rampant inflation that is plaguing the poor and young families. Second is unprecedented massive corruption. Big corruption, in 10s and 100s of millions of cash stashed in homes and billions overseas. Latest 'handouts' from PMX will not solve fundamental economic problems. They are for temporary 'feel good' or 'shiok Sendiri' only. Very little enhancement of economic capacity. The new appointment of more than 4,000 doctors is very beneficial for all Malaysians. [2] Turbulent Global Economy. Challenges in Multi-polar World. National leaders are providing insufficient leadership, direction, and clarity for Malaysians in these very uncertain times. Excessive domestic politics has blurred their responsibility in this very important aspect of economic management. It is logical to let Sabahan leaders manage Sabah. Federal leaders should not interfere. Focus on solving the national problems. Sabah leaders are capable of managing Sabah. CM Hajiji's economic restructure for Sabah is on course and will, in time, yield the desired results for Sabah. In addition, he has reclaimed some rights in oil and gas. The base of a burgeoning vibrant manufacturing industry has already been established. ECoS will solve Sabah's power problem. By 2030 there shall be no power issue. ECoS has done it within two years of its existence. The Federal government had no plan and failed to do so in 30 years. Sabahans are Malaysians as any Malaysian of other states. 'Sabah for Sabahans' does not dilute our Malaysianess. It must be stated here and now that Sabah is part of Malaysia, Sabahans are Malaysians just like any Malaysians of other states. Don't be distracted by any leader trying to steer us away from pursuing 'Sabah for Sabahans'. Such leaders have dubious ulterior motives. These following facts must be remembered always by all Sabahans and Malayans: Sabah is a direct signatory of MA63, 1/3 of Malaysia. Sabah is not 1/13 or 1/16 if the 3 federal territories are included, of Malaysia. These facts have become inconvenient truths and are often forgotten by many federal and some Sabah leaders. Many of them, for bizarre reasons, want Sabahans to forget Sabah's special role/position in the formation of Malaysia. 'Malaysia for Sabahans' more relevant slogan, says Ahmad Maslan. What is the meaning of 'Malaysia for Sabahans'? The ideal situation would be that Malaysia, of which Sabah is 1/3, would give Sabah a fair deal in all matters, especially in economic development and investment promotion. Sabah should have been looked after and assisted with extra help in development funding for Sabah to catch up with other states. Sabah's resources like oil and gas should have been used for the development of Sabah's economy from the very beginning. What does history tell us? Unfortunately, it has been a very sad story. The hard facts are that Sabah today is the 2nd poorest state, most of Sabah's resources have been siphoned off or controlled by non-Sabahans. Sabah has become well-known for poverty and bad infrastructures. To summarise, it has been a very bad nightmare. No one can blame Sabahans' scepticism on slogans like 'Malaysia for Sabah' from Malayan leaders. Should Sabahans want 'Malaysia for Sabah'? No one can blame Sabahans' heightened scepticism of this slogan which has been sold to us in various versions for many years. With due respect, this slogan seems to have come as an after-thought, an off-the-cuff remark. Better and easier for Sabahans to swallow if there is a properly prepared presentation of what 'Malaysia for Sabah' means to Sabahans in real term in this coming election. Sabahans, especially young better educated Sabahans, are no longer naïve. They aren't afraid to vent their frustrations. 'Malaysia for Sabahans' vs 'Sabah for Sabahans' These 2 slogans can be the best complements for nation building if only the federal government has lived up to the letter and spirit of MA63. Experience is telling us otherwise. History should have also taught Sabahans a lesson of self-discipline, the pitfalls, and dire consequences of political disunity. In view of numerous past unpleasant experiences [remember the 47 years old procrastination of 40% share of revenue?], it is better for Sabahans to have 'Sabah for Sabahans' so that we can build up and strengthen Sabah first. It is also time for Sabahans to grow up, not dependent on others, to exert our equitable rights and not to wait for charity and manna to fall from heaven. Sabahans must adopt 'Sabah for Sabahans' to regain self-respect. [1] 'Sabah for Sabahans' is a natural desire for all Sabahans, no difference from 'Selangor for Selangoreans' or 'Bangsa Johor'. Any Sabah leader not subscripting to this ought to have their heads examined. [2] Time for Sabahans to mature, to take charge and be responsible for our own destiny and future within Malaysia. Sabahans cannot continue to rely on others to make decisions for Sabahans. [3] Time to have our legitimate voice in major decisions that affect the nations like financial and budgetary policies and their implementations. Sabah is almost voiceless now. [4] As 1/3 partner of Malaysia, Sabah should and must have 1/3 representation in all federal agencies like Khazanah, all GLCs and GLIC. They don't give any attention for or implement any meaningful projects in Sabah. [5] Time for Sabahans to secure all our legitimate rights under MA63, our equitable rights for economic funding to develop our own state. [6] Time for Sabahans to have priority of our resources for the benefit of Sabahans. Like present siphoning off CPO must stop or impose higher sales tax of 15%. The CPO must be used for Sabah's downstream. [7] Sabah must be included in foreign trips by PM for investment promotions. [8] Federal government must give Sabah approval authority of RM2.5 billion on investment in manufacturing. Present RM2.5m is a joke. This amount cannot buy a semi-D now. 'Sabah for Sabahans' must be Encouraged by all Sabah leaders. Sabahans do not crave for what is not ours. Sabah is very far from getting what is rightfully ours, what Sabah is entitled to as 1/3 partner. 'Sabah for Sabahans LAST' is no longer acceptable by Sabah's young generation. They are deeply aware of and abhor the economic deprivations inflicted on Sabahans since MA63. 'Sabah for Sabahans' has room for a junior role for Malayan parties. As a trade-off, Sabah parties can support Malayan parties at federal level. Fair is fair. Priority is for all Sabah parties to unite for the sake of Sabahans, present and future generations. Good for Malaysia when 'Sabah for Sabahans' has made Sabah strong economically. 'Sabah for Sabahans' can Succeed only with Political Unity in Sabah. A strong Sabah will strengthen Malaysia economically and enhance its international prestige. 'Sabah for Sabahans' is a national asset. Sabah, now the 6th direct contributor to the national GDP will be able to contribute much more. Sabah's indirect contribution is much bigger cos most of our oil and gas and CPO are being shipped out to fuel industrial growth in Malaya. Malayan national leaders should let Sabahan leaders manage our state. For the future of all Sabahans, Sabah parties must fight for 'Sabah for Sabahans'. 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]