Up to us to be poorer or better off
Published on: Sunday, May 28, 2023
By: Datuk John Lo
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Or Sabah can opt to be better off quite easily if we can confront and tackle our seemingly intractable economic problems in a systematic manner and with sufficient political will.
To do that, Sabah must continue to foster unity and political stability that Hajiji has been championing. Sabah’s economic destiny is in the hands of Sabahans and for Sabahans to decide and determine.
We can’t let no one, not even the PM, to lead us by the nose. Sabahans must be politically and economically assertive for the sake of our generations.
Make no mistake about it, history has shown that Sabah’s greatest enemy is ourselves in many ways. We have achieved economic greatness under TS Harris, being the number 2 state. Sadly, we are where and what we are today is because of weaknesses of some leaders who were gutless to speak up in Parliament, Legislative Assembly and who were greedy and clueless in economic management.
Holistic, not piecemeal solutions to Sabah’s many economic problems.
Sabah’s problems are many, serious and entrenched. Turning around Sabah’s economy will not be a walk in the park. The positive thing is that Hajiji has started the ball rolling in a number of areas. To complement and support him is to help ourselves.
Every leader and Sabahan, if they love our Sabah, should contribute efforts to regain our economic dignity and rightful place as a full partner in Malaysia. Beware of those who are arm chair critic or insistent on criticizing to advance their personal agenda.
Sabah must adopt a holistic approach, we should know these problems intimately, prioritize them and seek the best brains to produce the solutions.
Solve these problems and Sabahans will be better off.
Looking at the energy being put in by Hajiji and his cabinet members, these seemingly insurmountable complex problems can actually be overcome.
[a] Leaders’ mindset transformation.
This includes leaders in politics, administration, business, academia and NGOs.
The negative mindset in the past is the mother of all problems. It has brought us to our present sorry state, from being one of the richest to the poorest. If the collective mindset does not transform, all will be in vain, no matter what we do. Sabah will continue the vortex path downward.
What is the correct mindset our leaders should have? Assertive economic leadership especially the MPs and YBs, pragmatic, sound economic management, concern for Sabahans’ economic progress including those less fortunate ones. Forthright and ability to command respect when interacting and negotiating with federal leaders and investors.
[b] Assertive and proactive in solving Sabah’s infrastructure woes.
Every type of infrastructure is crumbling, all of them need urgent attention be it power, water, roads, sewerage. WIFI connectivity is unsatisfactory. Of these, power and water need immediate solutions that will cost tens of billions.
The correct mindset can do wonders. Hajiji and Shahelmy are at it. So is Ginger Phoong who will channel investments to infrastructure and sorting our Sabahans to take up jobs from some major investments. They know the high stakes.
Billions of investments that Hajiji has attracted into Sabah are at risk. Sabahans’ prospects for better lives are also at risk. So will be the political backlash even though the present government has inherited the problems.
For the first time, there are leaders in government who are confronting Sabah’s infrastructure problems head on. They have been to the ground. Expect no quick light in the tunnel but with their persistence, the situation will improve.
[c] Delivery system and Implementation
Much of Sabah’s delivery system is still primitive, lack of urgency and extremely time insensitive. Urgently needed is for the delivery system to be transformed to the standards like those in the UTC. For example, making a payment to the government is often a chore. Getting a payment from the government is like fighting a battle.
However, the delivery system is being revamped. Exemplary is the Land and Survey. Much of its operation has been digitized. Most of its services is accessible by the public on line! Local Government is being revamped too. Hopefully, many more departments and local authorities will follow suit.
There are many very dedicated, capable, excellent officers who have a genuine love for Sabah. Select 20 of such officers and position them to manage the critical areas in our economy.
[d] Inflation.
The inflation in Sabah is probably a lot worse than the national figure. Prices in Sabah is higher, much higher than other states. Sabah produces very little. Imports of food are far more than our production of export. Sabah produces no animal feeds at all, minimal fertilizers.
Rice sufficiency is at a frightening 22.8%. Sabah’s deficit in food production is disastrous. The food security situation is scary! Everything from food, meat, fish to building materials are expensive. Nothing is cheap, even for items that Sabah is producing a lot like cooking oil. Great irony for Sabah being the largest oil palm state.
With the depreciating RM against USD, Sabah’s inflation will worsen steadily. Even basic items like rice and meat in Sabah will be more expensive.
On the positive side, Dr Jeffry is tackling the food problems.
[e] Leakages are Sabah’s worst plagues.
Sabah must not allow another oil palm industry to happen again. It has occupied Sabah’s best land, does not give any economic value chain or downstream, all the sales and profits are booked in KL. Hardly jobs for Sabahans. Nothing much is left in Sabah.
No reinvestment. Sabah’s generosity is boundless as we don’t even impose tax on Karnel oil. Yet, some oil palm companies have been cheating on payment of sales tax. My salutation to Masidi for giving them hell! Also, some oil palm plantations are avoiding payments of land cess.
Sabahans are overly generous or simply just don’t care. We allow non-Sabahans to take over and control big swathes of our economy, land, workshops, hawker stalls, tour guides, jobs [even including clerical ones], many non-Sabahans are working without work pass. There is hardly any enforcement. To crown it all, we allow refugees come in freely, steal electricity and water at will. Sabah is their heavens!
Sabah is now at cusp of better times.
Sabah’s stars are coming together in the right positions. Hajiji has sorted out the Federal/State relationship. Investments have come in [more expected], political stability is a reality. The Sabah cabinet is now a cohesive team. Very high probably that we can solve the aforementioned problematic items. Sabahans must have confidence in charting our economic destiny.
Better times are coming. Have faith. We can be better off.
- The views expressed here are the views of the writer Datuk John Lo and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.
- If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
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