Only a strong govt can save Sabah
Published on: Sunday, September 27, 2020
By: Datuk John Lo
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The new government will face a cocktail of serious economic challenges, some old unresolved ones and many new ones. The gravest ones are those inflicted by Covid-19. Sabah is not alone. The whole world is suffering. Many advance countries including USA, UK and Germany are still grappling with this pandemic. China will be the only major economy with a positive growth in 2020. The global economy will be in negative growth territory. Prospects for recovery in 2020 is out of the window, 2021 is very bleak. Federal government is tottering with never ending political uncertainties/drama including latest announcement by DSAI [23rd September] that he has obtained a parliamentary majority.
Under the present economic circumstances and in the long-term interest of Sabah, we must have a strong government from this election. Lessons from history will tell us that if the new government is not obedient to KL, the federal government will again delay/ignore Sabah’s rights to funding provided for under the constitution and other legal provisions. Even Sabah kowtows, the relationship has not been rosy either. It has always been “Sabah begs, KL withholds”. A strong new government with economic leadership is our long-term answer. Our Sabah government must be strong, stays strong as there has always been a “poisoned chalice” in relationship with KL.
I would humbly suggest to the new government not to rush into action but to take 2 or 3 months to ponder and produce an action plan, relevant policies and implementation strategy after consultation with people with intimate knowledge of the economy. The economic situation that the new government will face is unprecedented. It will definitely require a lot of “out of the box” solutions. It will therefore be appropriate for the new government to seek ideas/solutions from inside and outside government.
The new government can produce the best economic strategic plan in the world. It is all for naught if Sabahans cannot forge unity for economic progress. Democracy, by its very nature, is confrontational. Continuous political confrontation can be very unproductive and even destructive as has happened in many developing countries. Political fights in Sabah, therefore, must stop or minimized after election. Let’s focus on catching up on economic progress. Having suffered laggard growth for the last 30 years plus, Sabah political leaders should, by now, be wiser. They should and must be bipartisan in fighting for equitable developing funding from federal. I am confident Sabah can achieve much more economic progress if we can unite with one thing in mind, that is economic progress. Political competition and debate can be elevated from the present useless personal mud slandering by politicians. Sabah can learn from the once upon a time down and out 3rd world African country called Rwanda. With enlightened political/economic leadership, this country has achieved, to the envy of many African nations, the nick name of “Singapore of Africa”. Its pre Covid-19 economic growth in 2019 was 10pc! Sabah can quite easily do that if there is unity and political will.
Strong unity under a strong new government in Sabah will prevent us from being played around/victimised by federal government, stop Sabah being a pawn or “fixed deposit” in the power play in KL. Most importantly, Sabah can better determine our economic destiny instead of begging for economic crumbs from the federal table.
Blaming KL for Sabah’s economic woes is only one side of the coin. The other side is this—-much blame must be placed on the shoulders of our own leaders’ greed and inaptness over the years. Sarawak has aligned with KL for as long as Sabah. The big difference is that they know how, where and when to strike deftly in the political game with the federal government and, in return, have reaped huge economic benefits for their state. Adding insult to injury, they even got the federal government to siphon off our gas to Bintulu to fuel their industrialization! Sabah leaders have played the same federal game but they have sunk Sabah down into the economic gutters that we are in today. Let’s admit it, our political leaders are no match against the Sarawakians.
I hope Sabah’s new government leaders can play the federal game as well if not better than the Sarawak.
To achieve a new economic growth plane, I hope the new government will consider to undertake the followings—-[a] Magnanimous in victory. Reach out to the opposition, build up consensus for building up Sabah’s economy to a respectable level. The opposition should also respond positively in the interest of Sabahans. [b] Select the best and brightest to fill cabinet posts, especially those ministries with critical economic functions. [c] To instil clean government, all assemblymen should declare their assets, including those of their wives and children 18 and below. [d] Consider setting up a Council of Economic Advisers consisting of personalities with intimate knowledge of Sabah’s economy to assist the Chief Minister. [e] Thoroughly review system of government so that it is user and business friendly.
Lastly, IDS has been in the news recently. As a member of IDS since 1987, allow me to urge the new government to allow IDS to revert to its original objective and not to use it like a political tool. IDS’s original objective was to independently identify, conduct research on Sabah’s fundamental economic development issues, formulate policy and implementation strategy recommendations for consideration of the government. Unfortunately, IDS has been used non-stop to provide an office for politicians soon after its formation. Its current operational model as consultant seeking revenue from clients should be secondary. Its primary focus should be on Sabah’s fundamental economic issues and produce economic advisories/recommendations for the government, especially for the CM.
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