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To keep perspective on Sabah’s myriad economic problems, it is important to note the followings:

[a] Most of Sabah’s economic problems happened after Harris has stepped down as CM. Most of these problems are more than 30 years old, worsened exponentially over time due to corruption, inaptitude, negligence.

[b] Sabahan political leaders were subservient to Malayan leaders and failed to safeguard Sabah’s MA63 rights. 

[c] Sabahan political leaders failed to fight for our equitable share of development funds.

[d] Consequentially, Sabahans have lost control of our economy.

Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, since becoming Chief Minister, has to solve all these and many other problems. He has succeeded, among many other things, to regain a number of Sabah’s MA63 rights, especially in oil and gas. His biggest and most important challenge is the 40pc net revenue share which, with strong and unequivocal support from all Sabahans, he will succeed.

Hajiji’s economic transformation will receive a major boost in the following recent significant developments:

[a] Masidi has announced these extremely significant developments in oil and gas industry:

[i] “Sabah has set a target to award 30 per cent of all Oil and Gas Services and Equipment (OGSE) spending within Sabah to qualified Sabahan companies”. No doubt this will increase as Sabahan companies become more proficient and possess additional capacities.

[ii] “To further boost local participation, Sabah has launched the Sabah Local Content Council to enhance the involvement of local businesses in the sector.

[iii] “With the support of Petronas and all Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs), the State aims to achieve 80% Sabahan employment rate within the OGSE industry for this year.”

[b] SOFOS will build a USD4 billion oil storage tank farm. The first ever in Sabah in recognition of Sabah’s increasing geopolitical importance and investor friendly poliacies. 

[c] “The oil and gas facilities will be developed at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park in Sabah, and will include the construction of a jetty, onshore hydrocarbon storage terminals and a floating power plant”, according to a statement from Gibson Shipbrokers.

Additionally,

[d] Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s world largest larges biggest company, has already signed on.

[e] Dubai World which is the 2nd largest port owner in the world has also JV with Suria Capital.

Each of these investments are historical in their own rights in the context of Sabah. Never Sabah has experienced so much investments.

As Hajiji’s government endeavour to navigate all these investments and their Economic Value Chain to benefit Sabahans, all Sabahans must keep faith and prepare to participate.

EXPECT PROBLEMS LIKE PORT CONGESTIONS.

An integral part of keeping faith is to expect problems, take ownership of these problems and seek the most practical solutions for them. We must maintain this direction with courage and unity. Sabah’s problems are accumulated ones. Also, expect new ones to pop up.

No body can solve all these entrenched problems overnight. Don’t waste your trust/faith in such claims. Such expectation is both unreasonable and naïve. 

A good example is the on-going port congestion. Of course it is worrying. Pointing fingers can’t solve it. 

It is cold comfort that there are many major and smaller ports that are being confronted with similar or worse port congestions. 

Google “port congestions”. It will tell that, for different reasons, Singapore, Shanghai, HK and many ports have this problem due to world-wide geopolitical tensions.

The on-going security issues in the Red Sea, Russia/Ukraine war and South China Sea have added more maritime tensions. Need to recognise that some of these problems are self-inflicted in Sabah. Port congestion is a current massive world-wide problem. How bad is it? Please read Singapore’s port dilemma and the fallout on world trade.

[a] World famous Financial Times’ headline: “Singapore port congestion threatens to gum up global trade.”

https://www.ft.com/content/e2392e81-5b79-4655-a68d-44c246671c86

[b] Singapore CNA’s headline: “Air freight rates in Singapore set to continue rising amid worldwide port congestion”.

channelnewsasia.com/singapore/air-freight-rates-rise-switch-sea-cargo-worldwide-port-congestion-4467106

SEEK SMART SOLUTIONS.

There are smart solutions and there are dumb solutions to all problems. The obvious dumb one is to adopt the ostrich approach, bury the head and pretend all is well.

This is Sabah’s style for the last 30 years. Weak leaders always blame everybody except themselves. They shy away from taking ownership of the problems. They can’t offer solutions. 

Does USA, China, Singapore have problems? Of course they do. Their advantage is that they have strong political leadership, robust administrative officers and disciplined government officials working in conjunction with the private sector stakeholders. 

Singapore must be singled out for its excellent management in this respect. The solution to the port congestion in KK is for all stakeholders to stop pointing fingers, sit down and critically analyse the situation and come up with practical solutions to be implemented soonest possible. 

SABAH CAN BE THE BEST MARINE HUB.

Unacceptable, totally inexcusable that Sabah is not already the best regional regional pram this afternoon. We have the most important geopolitical position, nearest to China and above all, longest coastline and deepest port [POIC Lahad Datu]. 

Sabah should and must expand the maritime business including Hajiji’s latest “Blue Economy”. It potential is unlimited. The only limitation is ourselves. 

SABAHANS MUST UNITE FOR ECONOMIC PROGRESS. 

The proverbial saying “UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL” is very apt for Sabah. We have, quite stupidly, failed to unite and got exploited into the worst poverty in Malaysia in the last 30 years.

Sabah’s excellent religious and racial harmony are insufficient. We must also unite for economic development to overcome years of economic stagnancy and backwardness.

We must send a clear message to MABH that awarding the contract for the renovation of toilets in KKIA to Malayans is insulting and an affront to Sabahans. Sabahans should not let this matter go just like that.

So Sabahans, keep faith and unite for “Sabahans First”.

The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.

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