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Three forward steps were taken by Sabah BN coalition government. These forwards steps taken at the onset of the new year, 2012, would no doubt auger well for the future well being of the State and people.

The three forward steps taken were: (1) the government taking over the development of the Tanjung Aru prime land lying contiguous to the Prince Philip Park and the iconic Tanjung Aru beach front.

(2) Sabah Umno final decision to go along with the other BN coalition partners and opposition parties for the call for the Federal Government to set up the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to look into the controversial issuance of identity cards to illegal immigrants - "to safeguard the interests and welfare of all Sabahans" as the main reason for the support for the RCI call.

(3) The decision to expand the air services of Sabah Air by taking over the routes and destinations abandoned by the national airlines, MAS.

And a fourth, the announcement by the PBS, an important coalition partner in Sabah BN government, firmly committing to the coalition BN party.

These important steps taken by the BN coalition partners are the best examples to highlight the BN government policy (especially that of the Prime Minister) namely, for the promotion further of 1Malaysia concept and the realisation of Performance Now and Peoples' First .

1. When therefore the State Government ( under the present Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman) took over the more than 100 acres of prime land at Tanjung Aru, it was indeed a demonstration that the State Government is serious about fulfilling what is good for the people and State.

The Chief Minister gave a long explanation of why and how the Government managed to get back the land which was approved to a company Paramuha Enterprises with more than 10 nominees of the company to own a proposed parceling of the land. The land was approved during the tenure of the now controversial "rotation of Chief Ministers".

The iconic land would have been developed for housing, hotel - mainly for commercial purposes, and hence another addition to the fast growing of "concrete jungles" in Kota Kinabalu.

The said company was in breach of the provisions of the agreement and therefore the State Government cancelled the agreement and took back the land. The said company and 11 nominees went to court saying the cancellation of the agreement was null and void. The High court at Kota Kinabalu, however, decided in favour of the State government.

And as Musa said in his New Year's greeting, "the State Government is finally able to proceed with its "Tanjung Aru Regeneration Programme" - meaning the development of the land for the enjoyment of the public now and in the future. It was also pointed out that Tanjung Aru is famed for its unique picture postcard sunsets, once acclaimed by the Time Magazine as one of three "best places in the world to enjoy sunsets, one in Arizona in the USA and another in India.

Musa's vision for the iconic Tanjung Aru land is to develop it for the enjoyment of the people - a place where people can go and enjoy a few hours of their leisure time to relax and enjoy the environment.

Musa must have seen the many "parks" also known as "green lungs" of the city in other parts of the world.

Future generations would be particularly grateful to this caring government for providing such a place for everyone to enjoy and relax.

Meanwhile, the announcement made by the Sabah Umno Information Chief, Datuk Sapawi Ahmad, on January 3rd, stated that Umno Sabah supports the call for the Federal Government to set up the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to determine the presence of thousands of illegal immigrants issued with Malaysian Identity cards thus giving them "citizenship status". The statement of support for the call of the RCI by Sabah Umno was greeted with joy by the people of Sabah. Hitherto, only Upko, PBS and PBRS leaders - all Sabah BN coalition partners - have been vocal for the call of the setting of RCI.

Peninsula-based party like Gerakan, a BN coalition partner, had also joined in the call for the RCI.

The opposition parties have also been very vocal for the call for the RCI.

Umno Sabah joining in the call for the setting up of the RCI is, therefore, a major boost for the leaders from all political parties in the State who have been "knocking" on the doors of the Federal Government to act on their request. Here is Umno itself, the main pillar of the BN coalition party government in Sabah, finally throwing in their lot to "knock" on the doors of the Federal leaders, and in particular, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, to act quickly on the matter. As Sabah Umno's Datuk Sapawi said, "the final decision is with the Federal Government".

This major shift by Umno Sabah, shows first of all, that Umno Sabah is "separate and apart" from the KL or peninsula-based Umno; that Umno Sabah, led by Sabahan leaders themselves, have the capability and capacity to act independently of KL on issues that are very important to the people of Sabah.

This to me is a good sign and should make Sabah Umno a "Sabah own" party - and hence should find many supporters for it in Sabah, regardless of race or religion.

I read Professor William Roff's book, entitled "The Origin of Malay Nationalism" written in 1967.

It is basically a study of the rise of the Umno in Malaya (Malaysia) and what Umno stood for then: for the Malay nationalists. This latter was confirmed to me in an interview with the late Tun Ghazali Shafie.

He said Umno was originally set and organised by Malay leaders with strong "nationalistic zeal or stance", and that the name Umno stood for the United Malay National(ists) Organisation.

Since the rise of Malay nationalism which gathered momentum during the colonial days but culminating in the late 1940s, UMNO had stood for the nationalists Malays.

No other "bumiputra or natives" other than Malays could become a member of Umno.

And Malay is defined as a definitive original race, and whose religion is Islam.

So, to be a member of Umno, two important factors must be met: that he professes the Islamic religion and live and act like a Malay. This was UMNO then.

The coming of Umno to Sabah is a long story and indeed another chapter in the long history of the Umno party. It was introduced to Sabah for political expediency and for the sake of the Muslim community in Sabah.

The PBS was in power since 1985 and it seemed impossible to dislodge it as the governing party in Sabah.

And PBS leaders had consistently denied the approaches of the Muslim leaders (Tun Mustapha included, and even Tun Dr Mahathir) to allow for a coalition partnership in the governance of the State.

PBS was willing to accept Muslim leaders who were elected at the polls but as PBS candidates.

Usno leaders ( Tun Mustapha) decided to allow for the Umno party to come to Sabah and the Usno party was disbanded.

The acceptance of Sabah Muslims who by definition are not Malays by race was a departure from the original concept of what Umno stood for.

But as some writers said, it was a matter of political expediency.

And not only Sabah Muslims were allowed to join; even non Muslim bumiputra or natives, like Kadazan were also welcomed into Umno.

Umno then has become a party for the bumiputra of Sabah and not just for the Malays or Muslim communities in the State.

But the big question was whether Umno Sabah leaders could act independently on issues that are deemed of interests to the State of people.

The decision to call for the setting of the RCI is seen then as a clear example that Umno Sabah could indeed act on its own for the interest of Sabah's people. And once more, we can also say the Sabah BN government under Musa is indeed a caring government - caring for its people.

And as a former Chief Minister, Tan Sri Harris Salleh, said in a speech in Keningau some time back, the present BN government under Musa is "the best government".

Umno Sabah, joining in the call for the setting up of the RCI must surely has a big influence on the leaders in KL. It seems to me that they have no choice but to comply. To do so would also be a big political expediency.

If and when the RCI is set up - and before the general election is held - the Opposition would not be able to use it as a political gimmick to influence the voters. The issue of the RCI would no longer any political impact.

The announcement by the PBS Information Chief, Datuk Johny Mositun last week that PBS would remain with the Sabah BN coalition government must surely allay the fears of many PBS supporters and friends.

Mositun announcement also put to rest the speculation that PBS was leaving the BN fold and one of the reasons was that the call for the setting up of the RCI might not be entertained.

Upko leaders, particularly Tan Sri Bernard Dompok had also voiced his strong view about the setting up of the RCI. His supporters too want him to voice their concern about the continuing problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah.

The big question is also whether the present State Government has the power and the capacity to expand the air services through the Sabah Air.

It was announced by the present chairman of Sabah Air, that Sabah Air would apply to take over the routes and destination areas vacated or abandoned by the national carrier, MAS.

The State government through the Minister of Tourism, Datuk Masidi Manjun, said that Sabah State government is interested to take over the abandoned routes by MAS.

The closure of these routes by MAS, especially to Singapore, has a deleterious effect on the Sabah's tourism trade. Sabah is part of a big island, Borneo - but it is still an island.

And as such, the only best way to come to Sabah is by air. This is because this is the modern age - the age of fast travels.

And 94 per cent of the visitors to Sabah travel by air, The cutting down of MAS air routes and destination areas is making it difficult for people to come to Sabah. And we are also restricted when we go out from Sabah.

It is therefore heartening to hear that the State Government is interested to take over the routes by Sabah Air. Sabah has the capacity and capability.

Perhaps Sabah Air can be expanded as a company and invite our next door neighbors, Brunei and Sarawak to join in the venture. If this happens, then it would b e a revival of the old Borneo Airways.

MAS now covers places like Australia and also Auckland in New Zealand.

Air Asia goes to Christchurch. Perhaps Sabah Air can go to Wellington as part of its international destination routes.