Why a ‘Sabahans first’ policy matters
Published on: Sunday, August 22, 2021
By: Datuk John Lo
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Once upon a time there was a very rich man [Sabah] who has been favoured by God with everything, nice warm weather, consistent rainfall, vast tracts of fertile land, huge natural forests [reputedly best in the world], surrounding seas filled with fish and other marine lives.
Yes, he also owned vast deposit of oil and gas, minerals! This rich man delegated the management of his vast empire to a few trusted children [politicians] with instructions to ensure that all his family members [Sabahans] must be well taken care.
His trusted children [politicians] were either incapable or greedy and prone to corruption. They collaborated with outsiders [W Malaysians, Sarawakians] to enrich themselves. Over a period of time, most of the trees were felled until much of the forests have become “botak”. Most of the best land were sold to these outsiders for oil palm plantations.
Likewise, these trusted children allowed the surrounding seas to be raped by outsiders to the point that some of his other children [fishermen] could not find a living.
The despoliations and pilferages by his trusted children and outsiders were so bad that he had lost control of much of his wealth, his many other children and grandchildren [Sabahans] had been reduced to destitution. Thousands had been forced to seek out a living like economic refugees, in W Malaysia.
Then one day, a pandemic [Covid] struck his empire [or what was left of it] of the erstwhile rich man. Many family members were either dead or infected. Many had no food. His empire was in sharp decline. A great calamity had fallen. The man, now no longer has wealth, was crestfallen.
This man was greatly saddened by his children’s sufferings. Hospitals were over flowing. Many were jobless. He ordered his trusted children to solve the problems. They told him that there was little money to ease the sufferings. The man asked them to approach the outsiders who had become millionaires and billionaires in W Malaysia from the exploitation of his empire, for help. His trusted children tried to phone their once-upon-a-time outsider-collaborators. Their phone calls went unanswered or the message was “the boss not in”. Never was there a return call.
His other children [loyal Sabahans] rallied around him, dug out whatever savings they had and began to revitalize his empire. The man was reduced to tears in happiness.
Harsh reality had set in for the man. The outsiders treated him and his children with disdain. He decided henceforth that he would protect what is left of his wealth, seek out trustworthy and capable children to manage his greatly reduced empire with his very specific policy which he called THE “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY”.
Where Are The Outsider Oil Palm Plantation Big Boys Who Have Made Billions From Sabah?
Though the pandemic is raging away, CPO prices have stayed high, highest at above RM4,500 per ton. These big oil palm players have been raking in billions. The point I want to make is simply this. Allowing outsiders to control our natural resources [oil/gas] land, plantations, businesses and industries is same as committing economic suicide. I stand to be corrected. I want to ask which of these big boys have bothered to contact our Chief Minister, Hajiji to offer financial or assistance in kind to the suffering Sabahans and front liners. What is a few millions to them? Luckily, there are many Sabahan businessmen, NGOs and individuals who have not benefited from the largesse that Sabah has showered on these outsiders, have come forward with donations.
The Logic of “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY”.
I hope Sabah’s present and future political leaders and decision makers will etch into their psyche forever the followings>>>[a] Sabah has been short-changed badly by losing control of our natural resources and economic sectors. [b] Outsiders have no love for Sabah. For them it is just how much profit they can squeeze out of Sabah. [c] Outsiders will employ their own people and will use any pretext to evade Sabah’s work permit regulations. [d] Outsiders cannot be dependent on giving Sabah help when we need it most. [e] Sabahans being Sabahans, no matter what, love our Sabah. Sabah is home. Home is where our heart is. [f] When the crunch comes, Sabahans will be there for Sabah. [g] Logically and critically, having Sabahans doing well is good for Sabah’s economic well-being. Well to do Sabahans keep their money in Sabah, invest and reinvest in Sabah, employ Sabahans. Examples—-Tan Sri Majid Khan’s ITP Jawala Co Ltd, listed in Singapore Stock Exchange, has a Sabahan CEO and 100pc Sabahan employees, another Sabahan owned ITP company, Sepulut Forest Management S/B also employ 100pc Sabahans. Merica which has JVs with Sabah Foundation and Safoda, has more than 90pc Sabahan staff. All 3 companies have ambitious downstream industrialization plans. Another successful Sabahan is Tan Sri David Chu whose organisation has a Sabahan CEO and 100pc Sabahans staff. [h] It is only good common sense that Sabah must begin to practice “Charity begins at home!” Only silly people would ignore his family/loved ones and let outsiders control their wealth and natural resources. [i] The only way for Sabah to build up our technical and financial capacities is the “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY”.
“SABAHANS FIRST POLICY” Welcomes Outside Investors.
Sabah will continue to welcome outside investors who are willing to assist the Sabah Government to implement “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY”, to recognize the principle of legitimate, equitable rights to economic stake for Sabahans. Such conditions are commonly practised in all countries.
Sabahans are welcoming people, love to see outsiders profit from their investments in Sabah. But we must no longer tolerate the unfair treatment from the oil palm plantation owners—-no jobs, no downstream [CPO mills are nothing], no reinvestment, no profit retention in Sabah, minimal spin offs. In sharp contrast, the ITP [Industrial Tree Plantations] owners have trained Sabahans, including management staff, almost 100pc Sabahan staffing and very importantly, they have plans for extensive downstream industrialization plans worth hundreds of millions.
If Sabah can produce proactive, investor friendly policies, genuine investors will look at Sabah favourably. “Sabahans First Policy” is no issue.
Implementation of “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY”.
First and foremost, we need not be apologetic for “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY”. Every state has a similar policy, either explicitly or implicitly. All well managed countries have it too. The Sultan of Johor is most passionate of this policy for his state. Likewise, Sarawak for Sarawakians. Sabah stands out alone, rather stupidly, in being overly generous to the point of favouring outsiders over Sabahans, hence we are now in the gutter, straddled with highest unemployment and lowest income, highest poverty rate, loss of control of most economic sectors. No logic for GLCs which have been granted super prime lands at nominal land premium for them to JVs with outsiders. Most pieces of prime land in KK given to GCLs have gone into JVs with outsiders. Some have left a heap of mess like the STAR City.
For implementation of the “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY” we can start with these
[a] All federal and state government procurement/construction contracts are to be awarded to Sabahan companies.
[b] All consultancies are to be awarded to Sabahan professionals.
[c] All federal and state construction contracts must have 30pc local content, to be increased to 50pc after 5 years.
[d] Where outside or foreign expertise is required, the Sabahan professionals or companies can JV with creditable foreign firms on condition there must be technical expertise transfer.
[e] To encourage Sabahan investors, the government can give them discount for industrial land for them to establish or expand their business.
[f] All state lands, FMUs, mineral mining rights and JV property development involving GLCs are to be awarded to Sabahans companies.
The “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY” will need to be supplemented and complemented by a phalanx of favourable business/investors policies.
Responsibilities and “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY”.
Disastrous for Sabah if Sabahans consider “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY” a privilege, a right without responsibility or indulgence to abuse this policy by practising short cuts, short change and/or corruption. For the “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY” to succeed, the State government should engage the best, most capable, above all, honest, committed Sabahans to be partners in its implementation.
This will grow a core group of competent, competitive Sabahans who can truly develop Sabah, who can be the owners of Sabah’s economy, ability to take on the rest of the Malaysia and the world.
Like many things in Sabah, the weak link to success is selfish politicians. The politicians, irrespective of party affiliations must unite steadfastly to push for implementation of the “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY”.
Sabah can enjoy long term economic progress only if the “SABAHANS FIRST POLICY” can become the core philosophy of political parties, transcend political and political leadership changes.
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