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HAVING served the Sabah Government for more than 30 years in different capacities, Hajiji, on first becoming CM in 2020, knew well the many serious shortcomings/pitfalls of the past administrative systems. 

He decided to embark on an economic transformation for Sabah which, as can be expected, was very tough because of decades-old entrenched vested interest and misgovernance. 

Progress was slow and at times, uncertain due too many political warlords.

Notwithstanding the numerous obstacles, Hajiji persisted. With the winning of the 2025 election and armed now with a 2/3 majority, he can continue his economic transformation with greater speed and zeal. What is Hajiji’s innovation in government? 

Appointments of advisers.

To appreciate his innovation, it is good to refresh the many massive legacy problems he has inherited. Sabah has suffered from poor economic growth, at times, negative growth for most of the last 40 years. 

When he took over as CM, the treasury was much weakened, partly due to the economic devastation by Covid, negative growth of -7.8% and depressingly, investment was zero.

Hajiji decided to tap ideas from non-traditional sources. In early 2021, he formed SEAC [Sabah Economic Advisory Council]. He appointed Tan Sri David Chu as chairman. 

SEAC’s focus was on policies that would assist economic recovery and growth.

In view of Sabah’s then weak financials and economic growth, SEAC recommended for the Sabah Government to adopt investor friendly policies. 

Hajiji has used these policies to great effect. Never achieved before, he attracted more than RM58 billion. Sabah used to be at the bottom of the investment league, became 4th.

To further strengthen Sabah’s overall governance, SEAC also recommended policies to strengthen economic development institutions. 

Towards this end, SEAC has suggested for young Sabahans to be given greater responsibilities in civil service and GLCs. 

SYBIL was formed to groom young economic and industry Sabahan leaders. This was followed by Sabah Professional Council to safeguard the 5000 plus Sabahan professionals.

The greatest long-term impact for all Sabahans will come from The Sabah Law Reformation Council chaired by Tan Sri David Wong, the former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. All its council members are highly respected lawyers. 

They are Datuk Daniel Tan Wee Peng, Dr. David Fung Yin Kee, Datuk John Sikayun Datuk Roger Chin Ken Fong and Puan Shakinur Ain Karama.

Working closely with State AG, Datuk Brenndon Soh, another outstanding lawyer, the council has already completed the first ever thorough review of the Sabah Land Ordinance. 

It must be noted that all these personalities have no political agenda, professional and above all, apolitical.

Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, the “Son of Sabah”global top brain in finance/economics has returned to help Hajiji.

Sheng who grew up in KK, has accepted Hajiji’s invitation to be his Special Adviser. His appointment will further reinforce Hajiji’s attempt to innovate his government to a much higher level. 

Sheng’s appointment as Special Advisor to Chief Minister Hajiji Noor in 2026 marks a “homecoming” of one of the world’s most disciplined financial minds. 

His influence is not just administrative; it is philosophical, consonant with Hajiji’s. 

I append below some [not all] of Sheng’s credentials which can speak for themselves. 

Easily, he is one of the top economic/finance brain in this part of the world, having helped HK and later China to design their financial system and is still Chief Adviser to China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC).

Sheng was appointed to provide strategic counsel on economic and investment sectors.

He is a distinguished Fellow, Asia Global Institute: University of Hong Kong (HKU).

Pro-Chancellor: University of Bristol, United Kingdom.

Chairman, GIOAS: George Town Institute of Open and Advanced Studies, Wawasan Open University. 

Financial Regulation & Central Banking Executive Chairman, Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong (1998–2005): Led the commission through the aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis and oversaw major regulatory reforms.

Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority (1993–1998): Responsible for reserves management and external departments.

Chief Economist & Assistant Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia (1976–1989): Spearheaded bank and insurance regulations during a formative period for Malaysia’s financial system.

International Organizations.

Senior Manager, World Bank (1989–1993): Focused on financial sector development, specifically in financial markets and payments systems.

Chairman, Technical Committee of IOSCO (2003–2005): Influenced international securities regulation standards.

Advisory & Board Positions

Sheng is known for his unique “insider” status in both Western and Chinese financial policy circles.

China: Member of the International Advisory Council for the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA).

Member of the International Advisory Council for the China Investment Corporation (CIC) and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).

Chief Adviser to the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC).

Malaysia: Board Member of Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Sovereign Wealth Fund). 

Distinguished Fellow, Institute for Capital Market Research (ICMR).

Global: Adviser to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on Sustainable Financial Systems. Member of the Commission on Global Economic Transformation (chaired by Nobel Laureates Joseph Stiglitz and Michael Spence).

Education & Professional Qualifications. Chartered Accountant (FCA): Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. 

BSc in Economics (First Class Honours): University of Bristol.

Honorary Doctorates: Awarded by the University of Bristol and the University of Malaya. 

Key Publications & Media From Asian to Global Financial Crisis (Cambridge University Press, 2009): A seminal look at unfettered finance from a regulator’s perspective.

Shadow Banking in China (Wiley, 2015): Co-edited with Ng Chow Soon.

Global Commentator: Regular columnist for Project Syndicate, AsiaNewsNet, and The Edge.

Film: Featured prominently in the Oscar-winning documentary Inside Job (2010), explaining the mechanics of the 2008 financial crisis.

Honours & Recognition.

TIME 100 (2013): Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Sabah State Honor: Awarded the Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu (SPDK), which carries the title Datuk Seri Panglima.

Federal Honor: Awarded the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM), which carries the title Tan Sri. Hajiji’s appointment of Sheng as Special Adviser to CM is timely and appropriate.

Hajiji’s economic restructure and transformation of Sabah’s economy will be given a major boost with the return to Sabah by Sheng as his special adviser. 

He is easily the most recognised/influential man in finance and economics in Asean. No another person has been economic/finance advisor to the level he is at. 

With his vast exposure, knowledge and very importantly for Sabah, his special connections in HK [very much a major financial centre] and Beijing, much can be done. 

No doubt, he will be very useful in the formation of Sabah’s Sovereign Fund which Hajiji and Masidi have already announced.

With the Tan Sri triumvirate advising Hajiji, Sabah will rise again. 

First, there was Tan Sri David Chu, then Tan Sri David Wong. Now Hajiji has appointed Sheng as his special adviser. 

The all Sabahan triumvirate combination of a corporate leader, a distinguished judge and now a global top finance/economic brain will collaborate to strengthen and reinforce the ongoing economic transformation initiated by Hajiji.

When these true “sons of Sabah” at the highest level with no political ambition or personal agenda have stepped forward to serve Sabah, Hajiji must have got things right for Sabah.

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: Forum@dailyexpress.com.my