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Reignite the Sabahan spirit
Published on: Sunday, April 21, 2024
By: Datuk John Lo
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Money was no problem for most Sabahans. Jobs were aplenty. Personally, I had four jobs waiting for me on my return from study.
There were too many jobs chasing too few bodies. West Malaysians were queuing to come to the land of milk and honey that was our Sabah.
Many a times I have been told that Sabah’s roads were paved with gold. Even though the times have not been rosy for years, Sabah is still “heaven” to many West Malaysians and from Sarawak. Why Sabahans think otherwise.
Sabahans would tell other Malaysians and foreigners that we were Sabahans with pride. They would respond with respect and decorum.
Never thought Sabahans would one day have to suffer the indignity of pervasive poverty, young Sabahans migrating to W Malaysia and Singapore for jobs that nobody wants.
Many of them live in slum-like conditions. They are at the bottom of the food chain.
Forgive me if I tear up on the plights of many young Sabahans who are being burdened with dire poverty nowadays. Fresh graduates are being paid wages not much higher than in my time in early 70s. Crazy, considering the raging inflation all these years.
The Sabah that was my generation was riding high. We thought we were invincible. The Sabahan Spirit was supreme. Then it evaporated.
WHAT IS THE SABAHAN SPIRIT.
Sabah may mean different things to different Sabahans. Seen in this way, defining the Sabahan Spirit may become a futile exercise.
However, the ultimate manifestation of the Sabahan Spirit is simply this: all Sabahans love Sabah, Sabah is our home, home for our children and future generations.
This is our State which we love dearly. Sabah is still an ideal place to live, to bring up our families. Our state does not suffer from politicians who are bent to exploit religion and race for their political agenda.
Yes, true that we have been careless in managing our economy, our resources. Our easy-going politicians have done a very bad job. We wish they could have been wiser, more honest but it is water under the bridge.
Billions have been lost. Accumulatively over the last 40 years, a trillion or more which should have been retained in Sabah, has disappeared. Many Sabahans have given up. Who can blame them?
Our last redeeming grace are a small number of Sabahans. Despite all the seemingly insurmountable set-backs, these Sabahans have resuscitated the embers of Sabahan Spirit 3 years ago. Now the embers have developed into a small fire.
Hopefully, the Sabahan Spirit, with participation from many more Sabahans, will develop into a raging fire.
POLITICIANS ADOPTING THE SABAH SPIRIT, FIGHTING FOR SABAH.
Seems like light years that Sabah has been losing ground, giving up our rights. All the economic statistics are dropping south. Nothing was right.
Tide has begun to reverse 3 years ago. Some Sabah politicians are in the forefront, fanning the Sabahan Spirit embers back to life. Thanks to them in the last 3 years, Sabah has begun to move in the right direction. Lost grounds are being reclaimed; new economic frontiers are emerging.
[1] SomeMA63 rights have been regained and more are on the way. The ultimate is the 40% share of revenue.
[2] Oil and gas. Too many to list here. Suffice that Sabah has now the embryo of an impressive oil and gas industry.
[3] Under-performing GLCs are being put under the microscope for the first time.
[4] Investments in unprecedented size have and are coming in.
[5] New industries are being created.
[6] G to G relationships are being established. Several Chinese Provinces and HK are or will be in Sabah for trade and investments.
[7] State’s revenue is at an all time high at RM6.97 billion in 2023.
All these new economic achievements have been possible because a few Sabahan political leaders have adopted assertive economic leadership, have stood firm in the defence of our rights.
You will notice that these political leaders who have adopted the economic leadership approach do not waste time on petty political polemics or indulge in personal mudslinging. Their focus is on solving Sabah’s perennial major problems in infrastructure and poverty.
Great if a majority of the 79 YBs can switch from productive politicking to economic leadership. Let’s see some economic leaders in action in the current sitting of the Assembly.
SABAHANS TAKING ON CHALLENGE OF SABAHANS SPIRIT REVIVAL.
Totally unexpected are young Sabahans who are leading the charge in reigniting the Sabahan Spirit. They do not look for handouts from Government.
Their only wish is to rebuild Sabah, contribute to make things right again for Sabahans and in the process build for themselves a Sabah which they can call home. Their Sabahan Spirit is as unique as it is refreshing.
I hope young Sabahan organisations like SYBIL will grow quickly and spread its wing to all parts of Sabah, to spread their new Sabahan Spirit which will give hope to other young Sabahans.
The ladies like those in SWEPA are also in the forefront. For years, their zeal in reaching out to the ladies in Sabah are legendary. As Sabah Women are the anchors of our society and families, I hope SWEPA can consider upping their endeavour to spread their economic leadership to all women in Sabah.
In SWEPA, there is hope of profound economic improvement for Sabahan women.
Most pleasantly, the Sabah Professional Council and PAM [Architects] have informed that they are on board in their replies to my article. Please hurry.
SLS [Sabah Law Society] has taken the unprecedented initiative to upgrade the Sabahan Spirit to SABAHAN FIGHTING SPIRIT. SLS is truly the Sabahan hero. It has taken the Federal Government to court on its failure to pay the 40% share of revenue.
DO SABAHAN BUSINESSMEN, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE HAVE THE SABAHAN SPIRIT?
I will leave it to them to provide proof of their Sabahan Spirit. If and when Sabah does well [like now and increasing so going forward] the businessmen are the first and largest beneficiaries.
Sad to notice that there are no leaders among the businessmen or chambers who have shown the exemplary Sabahan Spirit. Perhaps they can learn from SYBIL OR SWEPA.
If the Sabahan businessmen can contribute, as a group, for the betterment of Sabah’s economy, I am positive that Sabah can do much better.
If non Sabahans and foreign investors are coming in droves to Sabah, why can’t Sabahan businessmen? Do they expect the manna to fall from heaven straight into the bank account?
Can I therefore suggest for Sabahan businessmen to get together in true Sabahan Spirit to produce their plan on how to expedite the growth of the Sabah’s economy?
SABAH’S FUTURE IS EVERY SABAHAN’S BUSINESS.
The habit of pointing fingers, especially by politicians against each other, must stop. Such useless and immature conduct reflects badly on them and are just the pot calling the kettle black.
Every true Sabahan should chip in to rebuild Sabah’s future. A poor Sabah does not benefit anyone. A prosperous Sabah is good for all.
Safeguard our two most precious assets: Unity and Political Stability for they are the foundation to Sabah’s future progress. Protect our resources, our assets for Sabahans and future generation.
Let all Sabahans embrace the Sabahan Spirit.
- 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: [email protected]
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