logo
Things looking bright under GRS

Things looking bright under GRS

Daily Express11-05-2025
Published on: Sunday, May 11, 2025
Published on: Sun, May 11, 2025
By: Datuk Teddy Chin Text Size: Sabah Maju Jaya signage on display in Papar on 16.9.1963 THE next State general election is expected later this year. The general belief is that expires on 29th September, the date that current Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hj Hajiji Hj Noor was sworn-in for a five-year term in 2020. But my belief is that the Assembly actually expires on 8th December. This is because the 16th Assembly first sat on 9th October 2020 and the Constitution of Sabah stipulates that elections must be held within 5 years of the first Assembly Sitting, plus a 60-day window after the Assembly dissolves. However, it is up to the Assembly Speaker to make a statement on this. Assuming the above is correct, it means that the next election can be held as late as December or end of the year. Anyway, it's up to the Chief Minister on when he would like to dissolve the Assembly, or just let the Assembly 'finish' by itself. If Hajiji wants to 'rule' until the last day, it is understandable. Political history of Sabah has shown that sometimes dissolving the Assembly early or calling for a snap election can have negative results. The Usno-led Alliance Government called for a snap election in 1976 in order to disallow the new party Berjaya space to grow. Alliance lost the election. In 1985, Berjaya also dissolved the Assembly early in order to prevent the newly-formed PBS space to grow. Berjaya not only lost the election. It was a humiliating defeat as it saw the party's strength in the Assembly dwindling from 44 seats to merely 6. Usno made a miraculous comeback in that election, winning 16 seats and was supposed to form a coalition government with PBS. That was the expectation. In 1994, PBS called for a snap election. Rumour had it that this was to prevent KL having time to redraw the electoral boundaries to BN's favour. PBS won alright, but razor-thin. Just like 1985, it only had a simple majority. As expected, the PBS government collapsed less than two months later when 3 of its Assemblymen including a Nominated one jumped. The rest is history. Back to what I actually want to say. As the election gets nearer, one can expect the Opposition to fire all the ammunition that they have against the ruling party. One common tactic is asking the people what the ruling party has done past few years. 'Nothing', they would claim even if they know that this is not true. This is politics. During World War II, Hitler's propaganda chief Herman Goering said that if a lie is repeated often enough, it will eventually be accepted as the truth. Some people tend to believe in lies or propaganda rather than the truth. To some people, especially the Opposition, whatever the Government does is wrong. Back to common sense, let us ask did the present State government do anything concrete to improve Sabahans' lot past few years? The answer is YES, although the Opposition will say 'No' for otherwise they would be out of business. Did any State Government since 2018 have any concrete plan for Sabah's development and progress? In March 2021, despite Sabah still facing the menace of Covid-19, CM Hajiji launched the Sabah Maju Jaya Roadmap or Halatuju SMJ, just a few months after being sworn-in as the State's Chief Executive. It was meant to be a five-year plan from 2021-2025, nicely covering Hajiji's and the GRS+ government's 5-year term. In launching it, Hajiji said the SMJ development plan has outlined three main thrusts to develop the State from 2021-2025. He said the thrusts were based on the SMJ slogan where S refers to the three main economic sectors covering agriculture, industry and tourism; the letter M refers to human capital and the well-being of the people; while the letter J refers to green infrastructure and sustainability networks. 'The three main SMJ thrusts will be driven by five enablers, namely fiscal sustainability, financial facilities, effective and efficient delivery, excellency in integrity and governance, and digital government. 'SMJ is not a personal plan owned by the Chief Minister and Cabinet members, nor is it the right of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government or a plan just for civil servants…SMJ is our Roadmap (Halatuju) and State Coat of Arms which is the right and property of all Sabahans.' Hajiji said five implementation objectives have also been outlined, namely to build a united, peaceful and prosperous State and society; to optimize State resources and revenue, stimulate economic recovery; improve the people's economy and improve human capital. He said the SMJ plan would move in line with the national development agenda under the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030. And was a manifestation of the commitment as pledged by GRS in the 16th State election in 2020. He said to ensure the SMJ Roadmap achieve its goals, every core and enabler would be supported by various initiatives 'To date, a total of 584 initiatives covering 304 core initiatives and 280 enablers have been drafted for implementation starting this year,' he added. The above was what Hajiji said when he launched the SMJ Roadmap in 2021. A lot of water has since flowed under the bridge. Has the SMJ Roadmap achieved its objectives? Any results to show? For me to tell everything here would require a book. For now, I just give the background. More details and updates in the coming weeks. In order not to keep you in suspense, I would just like to quote what Hajiji said recently when launching the Gagasan Rakyat Information Machinery. He said many initiatives have been carried out by the GRS+ government last few years especially, those under the SMJ Roadmap initiatives. 'Educational aid initiative, public welfare such as Rumah Mesra SMJ and the Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat Programme, success in attracting foreign investors to help boost economic growth and job opportunities. This is what the GRS government has implemented over the last four years,' he said. It is understood that the two China and Korean companies alone in KKIP are offering job opportunities to a few thousand Sabah youths with expansion to Kimanis. Speaking to youths at another function, Hajiji said this year alone, the State Government allocated $75.5 million to implement 13 comprehensive educational assistance initiatives. These include the Higher Education Enrolment Cash Aid (Budi), Special Examination Cash Aid (Bakti), Local Higher Education Students' Contribution (Sentosa), Flight Ticket Subsidy (GRS-SUBFLY) and Computer Assistance Grant (Baik). 'In addition, funding for the Sabah State Government Scholarship (BKNS) has been increased from $51 million to $128 million this year, enabling more students to pursue higher education,' he said. Meanwhile, the SMJ slogan is to be respected, not mocked at it is or State Motto as enshrined in the Sabah Coat of Arms. A backbencher at the State Assembly who early last year mocked it was told off by the then Deputy Speaker, Datuk Ahmad Abdul Rahman who said 'If in Pakistan, you would have been shot….' In a recent interview with this writer, the Chief Minister among other things expressed his utmost concern about water and electricity supply in the State, along with other infrastructure projects such as roads. 'We are doing everything we can on the water and electricity situation. Things should improve tremendously once the $4 billion project at hydroelectric plant in Ulus Padas is completed,' he said. The plant is expected to produce 187.5mw and expected to be completed by 2027. It was jointly launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Hajiji Hj Noor. It is expected to increase capacity by 15%. A study is also being conducted so that this dam has the potential to supply clean and stable water flow to users up to 6,000 liters per day (MLD). That aside, Sabah Electricity is also doing all it can with a massive project in Lahad Datu while the Water Department is expanding the Water Treatment or Distribution Plants in Telibong, Putatan and Papar. The Borneo Highway construction and other infrastructure facilities are also progressing well. Things are looking bright for Sabah under GRS+ and Hajiji. In conclusion, credit must also go back the man behind the implementation of the SMJ Roadmap Initiatives – the Chief Coordinating Officer of the SMJ Secretariat, Datuk Hj Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai. Rosmadi is the former Director General of the State Public Service Department and has been with SMJ from Day One. Rosmadi's experience as a former senior civil servant in various capacities certainly prepared well for this new role. Looks like the Chief Minister did not choose the wrong person. Sabah Maju Jaya. 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]
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

King presents instrument of appointment to new Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid
King presents instrument of appointment to new Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid

The Star

time36 minutes ago

  • The Star

King presents instrument of appointment to new Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on Monday (July 28) presented the instrument of appointment to new Chief Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, at Istana Negara here. Wan Ahmad Farid, 62, also took the oath of office and loyalty during the ceremony, which was held at the Small Throne Room of the Palace. Wan Ahmad Farid, hitherto a Court of Appeal judge, was also presented with the instrument of appointment as a Federal Court Judge. The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. His Majesty also presented instruments of appointment to Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as the President of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, followed by the appointment of eight Court of Appeal Judges and 14 High Court Judges. Wan Ahmad Farid has been appointed as the 17th Chief Justice of Malaysia, succeeding Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2. The appointment was made in line with Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, with His Majesty's consent on the advice of the Prime Minister and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. Abu Bakar, 63, meanwhile, is filling the vacancy of President of the Court of Appeal following the retirement of Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim on July 3, while Azizah, 63, replaces Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, who retired on July 24. Wan Ahmad Farid, who holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) from the University of West London and obtained a Certificate in Legal Practice (Hons) from Universiti Malaya in 1986, began his legal career as an advocate and solicitor with Messrs Adnan & Wee in Kuala Terengganu, serving from 1987 to 2003. Beyond his legal career, Wan Ahmad Farid has been active in public administration and politics, having served as political secretary to former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from 2003 to 2008, before being appointed Deputy Home Minister from 2008 to 2009. He returned to legal practice between 2011 and 2015 as a partner at Messrs Wan Farid & Surin in Kuala Lumpur before being appointed as a Judicial Commissioner, serving in the High Courts of Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu from 2015 to 2019. He was then elevated to High Court Judge from 2019 to 2024, with postings in Kota Bharu, Shah Alam (Special Powers Division) and Kuala Lumpur (Special Powers Division 3).- Bernama

[UPDATED] Fuziah: PH and BN tie up in Sabah set in stone, but cooperation with GRS welcomed
[UPDATED] Fuziah: PH and BN tie up in Sabah set in stone, but cooperation with GRS welcomed

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

[UPDATED] Fuziah: PH and BN tie up in Sabah set in stone, but cooperation with GRS welcomed

KOTA KINABALU: PKR secretary-general Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh has confirmed the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance in Sabah for the upcoming state election. "PKR always welcomes cooperation with any party in facing the Sabah state election," she said. "PKR believes it is a win-win combination. It is a win for the people of Sabah, and also a win for all component parties in the cooperation," she told the New Straits Times. Yesterday, the Chief Minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor reiterated his commitment to work with Sabah PH for the upcoming state election. He attributed this willingness to work with PH to their leaders' support during the attempt to topple the GRS-led state government in 2023. However, Hajiji said that the people of Sabah should vote wisely to ensure GRS, a local-based coalition, dominates the political scene in the state. Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud had said that despite PH eyeing over 20 seats, both coalitions would still have to sit down to negotiate on which seats to contest.

King appoints Wan Ahmad Farid as new Chief Justice of Malaysia
King appoints Wan Ahmad Farid as new Chief Justice of Malaysia

The Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Sun

King appoints Wan Ahmad Farid as new Chief Justice of Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, officially appointed Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the new Chief Justice in a ceremony held at Istana Negara. The 62-year-old took his oath of office and loyalty at the Small Throne Room, marking the beginning of his tenure as the nation's top judicial officer. Wan Ahmad Farid, previously a Court of Appeal judge, also received his instrument of appointment as a Federal Court Judge. The event was attended by key government figures, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, as well as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. The ceremony also saw the appointment of Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as President of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. Additionally, eight Court of Appeal Judges and 14 High Court Judges were sworn in. Wan Ahmad Farid succeeds Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2. His appointment follows Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, with the King's consent based on the Prime Minister's advice and consultation with the Conference of Rulers. With a distinguished legal career spanning decades, Wan Ahmad Farid holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of West London and a Certificate in Legal Practice from Universiti Malaya. He began his career as an advocate and solicitor in Kuala Terengganu before transitioning into public service, including roles as political secretary to former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Home Minister. - Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store