What a journey the past two years have been. Malaysia, the once roaring Asian Tiger, has seemingly lost her bite. The impact of the pandemic and political uncertainties pushed our economy into negative territory in 2020, recording a 5.6pc contraction.

In January 2022 the Indonesian Parliament endorsed Jokowi’s plan to build a new capital for Indonesia to be called Nusantara. On 16 August 2019 he officially announced his plan for Nusantara and on 14th March, conducted the ritual for commencement of work. Credit to Jokowi, he means what he says. Wasting no time at all, he got the new capital started.

THE recent remarks by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad calling on Muslims in the country not to attend the Bon Odori festival gives us Malaysians an opportunity to reflect on the principle of the separation of religion from the state and politics.

TO most employers, a general degree from a university is just a certificate printed on a piece of paper. At the workplace, only performance matters. But many fresh graduates are ill-prepared to compete or excel in their jobs and carve a successful career.

No greater love than “Love Sabah” is surely and steadily growing. If only this embryonic love for our Sabah can mature more, especially among politicians, then our future will be in good hands. Hajiji’s “Sabah First” or “Sabahans First Policy” has begun to produce positive impacts. Here are some reasons and examples for this rising tide of “Love Sabah”: [a] Hajiji has succeeded to collect sales tax on petroleum products. This has been a thorny issue for a long time. Sarawak has been collecting this sale tax for many years but Petronas has refused Sabah.

Borderland is a land of complexity. Before the establishment and expansion of the British North Borneo Company in the late 19th century, the Tawau District was under the influence of sultanates in the region, i.e., Brunei, Sulu, and Bulungan in Kalimantan. In a map published by the British North Borneo Company in 1888, the territory under its control covered the entire Sebatik Island as well as Nunukan Island. The land borders were later fine-tuned several times after the Anglo-Dutch treaty was signed in 1891, with Sebatik Island politically dissected into two parts and Nunukan Island transferred to Kalimantan. This had changed the fate of the local people for generations, as the territorial arrangement was subsequently adopted by Malaysia and Indonesia after gaining independence from the colonists.

Elections provide the space for the people to elect their government. A government coalition of the people’s choosing and which is responsible to the people represents the main pillar of democracy. It is the common understanding that a government chosen by the people will strive to fulfil its trust, manage public resources and utilise the nation’s wealth by giving priority to the interests and well-being of the people.

The recent “hot” news was Wang Yi’s [China Foreign Minister] brief overnight stopover in KK on 4th of June 2022. The meeting between him and Datuk Dr Jeffry Kitingan, quite naturally, has spurred intense speculation. Was Wang Yi’s brief visit deliberate with intent to update the connect between China and Sabah? Is Wang Yi here cos China has noticed Sabah’s progress since Hajiji’s take over as CM and his restructuring initiatives for the Sabah’s economy? I would say “yes” for a number of reasons. Please see below.

With the pandemic engulfing the globe, there is seemingly no escape for the Malaysian business community and everyone who depends on the economy — practically every Malaysian — from the consequences of frequent lockdowns, reduced demand for goods and services, business closures and the resultant unemployment except for some fortunate sectors that have benefitted from the opportunities that this unusual time has offered.

CM DATUK Seri Hajiji and the presidents of component parties launched the GRS coalition on 28th May 2022. In his speech, Hajiji touched on the rationale and direction of the newly registered coalition at great length. Most impressive goals! Never in Sabah’s history has a political party or coalition having devoted such focus to give a comprehensive vision for Sabah.