KOTA KINABALU: A citizen-driven, non-partisan initiative which seeks to empower Sabahans to voice their concerns, propose solutions and play an active role in shaping policies will be held from March to June.
The three-month long initiative called “Sabah Voices to Action – Shaping Sabah’s Future Together” will be officially launched by Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (Sabar) on March 19, whereby Sabar will facilitate inclusive discussions and compile recommendations to be presented to political parties ahead of the 2025 Sabah State Election.
This will be done through a multi-platform engagement strategy, including podcasts, newspaper publications, regional town hall meetings and a culminating conference.
In addition, six Regional Town Hall Meetings will be held from April to May in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Kota Marudu and Keningau, offering Sabahans a direct platform to voice their concerns and ideas.
The initiative will culminate in a Final Town Hall Conference in June, where stakeholders will consolidate recommendations into the Memorandum of Sabahan Priorities.
“The ultimate objective of this project is to promote an inclusive, transparent and participatory policy-making culture in Sabah by fostering a bottom-up approach to governance,” said Sabar Chairman Datuk Zainie Abdul Aucasa.
He said it aims to shift the political culture by encouraging transparent, rational and professional policy discussions that engage experts, stakeholders and the public in co-creating solutions to Sabah’s challenges.
Organising Chairman Lim Hock Song said through open dialogue and collaborative decision-making, the initiative seeks to cultivate a proactive, professional and inclusive nation-building culture, ensuring that policies reflect informed discourse and the genuine needs of the people.
He urged Sabahans to stay update on the latest podcast episodes and town hall event schedules by following Sabar’s Facebook page and visiting Sabar’s official website.
“Join the conversation and be part of shaping Sabah’s future through inclusive and participatory policy-making,” he said.
The initiative is supported by Daily Express as the official media partner, ensuring widespread coverage and public engagement.
Daily Express Chief Editor Datuk James Sarda welcomed the collaboration, emphasising the importance of media fostering meaningful discussions on public policy.
“Daily Express has always been committed to providing a platform for informed discourse on Sabah’s most pressing issues,” he said.
“This initiative aligns with our mission to promote awareness, civic engagement and accountability in governance.
“By amplifying expert insights and public voices, we hope to encourage constructive dialogue that leads to real, impactful change for the people of Sabah,” he said.
Meanwhile, the initiative will be officially launched on March 19 with the release of the first episode of an 8-Episode “Sabah Voices to Action” Podcast Series, hosted by Kopitiam Council and Sabar.
Kopitiam Council is a podcast hosted by Sabahans Mohd Haffiszul and Adi Putera, exploring global and local affairs and their impact on Malaysians, especially Sabahans. Through bold discussions, they break down complex issues — from politics to social trends — offering fresh insights into the forces shaping our world.
The podcast series will feature in-depth discussions on Sabah’s challenges in education, healthcare, public infrastructure, and good governance with local experts from diverse fields—including education, healthcare, architecture, engineering, urban planning, estate valuation, law, finance, banking, and government—offering valuable insights to inform future policies.
Following each podcast episode, Daily Express will publish special newspaper columns featuring extended discussions and expert insights on those subjects.
The public is invited to participate by sharing their thoughts and proposing solutions through a dedicated website.
The initiative is also supported by the Sabah Healthcare Professional Alliance, comprising the Sabah Medical Association, Sabah Nurses Association, Association of Private Practitioners Sabah, Sabah Pharmaceutical Society, Kesatuan Inspektor Kesihatan Sabah and Sabah Dental Practitioners Society, has also pledged its full support for the initiative.
Their collective expertise will provide crucial insights into the healthcare challenges in Sabah, contributing to informed discussions and actionable solutions.
Among the prominent figures featured in the podcast series are Datuk Dr Christina Rundi, former Sabah Health Director; Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Kassim, Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation; Datuk Roger Chin, former President of the Sabah Law Society; Datuk John Lo, member of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council; Rizal Ahmad Banjar, President of the Sabah Professional Council; Michael Tong, Senior Partner at Crowe Horwath; Professor Vincent Pang, Honorary Professor at Universiti Malaysia Sabah; and Datuk Dr Amarjit Singh, former Director of the Sabah Water Department, among others.
