EFFECTIVE political authority and meeting basic governmental obligations are what people expect. Decades of corruption within the water department, losses incurred by Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) and financial losses by the Sabah Development Bank (SDB) come to mind.
These issues collectively underscore concerns about Sabah’s ability to govern effectively and fulfil its fundamental responsibilities. Addressing these challenges is critical to preventing further deterioration and restoring confidence in the state’s governance. By tackling corruption, enhancing accountability, and prioritizing economic stability, Sabah can steer towards a more stable and prosperous future.
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Strong states like Sarawak, unquestionably control their territories and deliver a full range a high-quality development to their citizens. They perform well according to indicators like World Bank GNI (gross national income), GDP per capita etc.
Where as in Sabah, there are a broad continuum of weaknesses: inherently weak because of geographical, physical, or fundamental economic constraints; basically strong, but temporarily or situationally weak because of politics, antagonisms, corruption, management flaws, greed, despotism, etc.
The recent revelation of management improprieties at Sabah Development Bank from 2003 until 2018 when under BN-Umno control resulting in RM5 billion bad loans to non-Sabahan businesses underscores a profound failure across multiple levels.
From the state Cabinet and responsible Ministers to the Board of Directors and senior management. Additionally, it highlights serious lapses by internal and external auditors who failed to detect these criminal activities over many years.
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The RM5b non-performing loans (NPLs) were hidden through decades of creative accounting, said State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun in the State Assembly. That is a huge amount of money that could have gone in improving the state’s infrastructure.
Looking further back, we had the 2015 ‘Watergate’, which was one of the biggest corruption scandals at that time. To this day, no one has been found guilty or imprisoned for the crimes committed against the people of Sabah.
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The corruption within the Water Department has persisted for decades, yet the state apparatus failed to uncover the intricate schemes that deprived the people of water.
Shockingly, during court proceedings, the accused even disclosed that Ministers were involved in accepting bribes including a former Chief Minister.
In another troubling incident that highlighted a lack of central command, the State Attorney General delegated the argument of state objections regarding Sabah’s 40pc tax sharing entitlement under the Constitution to an external counsel, sidelining the state’s own legal fraternity representing the people of Sabah.
The mishandling of this issue resulted in the Attorney General being reassigned to another department. Regrettably, accountability remains absent, mirroring the trend in many other prominent cases in Sabah.
One recent morning, I spoke with someone who suggested I visit the Sports Complex to understand how relevant Ministry has failed us. Curious, I went there and was taken aback by what I found.
The walk around the lake showed its dismal state and neglect: overgrown grass and weeds sprouting from planter boxes, interlocking bricks uprooted and posing safety risks, dead trees and branches along the jogging path, and lacklustre landscape that resembled an unkempt garden. Adding to the disappointment, new buildings were encroaching on the once-open space.
What happened to the money allocated to maintain Sabah’s premier sports and recreational facilities? Have any of the ministers walked the Sports Complex in the morning to see the mess? This complex is meant to be a premier venue for local residents around Kota Kinabalu, promoting a healthy lifestyle. Instead, its current condition undermines this purpose and fails to meet the community’s expectations.
Similarly, Tanjung Aru Park has languished in neglect over the years, impacted by political changes and indecision. Profit has often been prioritized over the well-being of the people, reflecting a longstanding issue in Sabah. Our leaders bear significant responsibility for these shortcomings. Comparatively, it’s hard not to envy neighbouring Sarawak, which has advanced by leaps and bounds, progressing towards becoming a high-income nation.
It’s evident that our Ministers do not visit the ground level (“turun padang”), otherwise they would witness the state’s shortcomings firsthand and take ownership of them. It’s clear that these deficiencies stem from poor governance and attitudes.
When I asked a friend about the prevailing “tidak apa” attitude, he attributed it to widespread public apathy. He said people have stopped caring, especially as those with means that have left the state to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Brain drains and cronyism have also taken a toll on Sabah. We have failed to recruit the best brains to turnaround ailing GLCs but prefer political appointees who cannot be expected to improve the situation.
In Kota Kinabalu, the city’s vibrancy seems confined primarily to the bustling food fairs on Fridays and Saturdays, along with Gaya Street’s lively market on Sundays. However, landmarks like the Observatory Tower and Clock Tower have remained closed for years.
Rather than investing in more high rises that often result in abandoned projects marring the skyline, there’s a pressing need to address fundamental issues. Sabah’s poor internet facilities, frequent electricity outages, and water supply problems deter potential digital nomads. Moreover, the city lacks diverse entertainment options, further limiting its attractiveness to tourists and residents alike.
Sabah urgently requires a new breed of leadership for the future—a visionary akin to the hands-on approach of Tan Sri Harris Salleh, often revered as the father of Sabah’s industrial development. His focus on rural development and uplifting low-income communities stands as a testament to his leadership philosophy of teaching people to fish rather than simply giving them fish. Initiatives such as the Dairy Cattle Farm exemplify his enduring vision for Sabah’s progress.
It must be pointed out that many of the issues like water and SDB were encourages or unattended to by past administrations before the present GRS government took charge. – Ed