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HAJIJI's government’s stealth role in court victory on 40% revenue share.

STOP PRESS!!! Court Decision in favour of SLS’s fight on 40% revenue on 17th October 2025.

The Judge’s decision is very clear. In the words of the Judge, “the Federal Government acted unlawfully by failing to honour 40% share!” I am certain all Sabahans and Sabah parties are overjoy with the Judge’s decision.

Ginger Phoong, on behalf of DAP, has already congratulated the team and given his party’s endorsement. Now let us test the other Malayan parties [not individual members]. They are fighting to take over the Sabah Government in the 2025 election so that they can, so they claim, look after Sabahans. I invite each Malayan party, except DAP, to answer these questions:

[i] Are you in favour with the Judges’ decision? Are you as joyful as the Sabah parties?

[ii] If in favour with the Judge’s decision, would you make a stand to oppose an appeal by the Federal Government.

[iii] If not in favour with the Judge’s decision, please tell Sabahans how can you implement “Sabah for Sabahans?”

Roger has confirmed Hajiji’s government’s vital role in the epic court battle. 

Typical Hajiji style, stealthily the Sabah Government and SLS team have exchanged information, put their heads together to strategize their case in court.

Unknown to the opposition, Hajiji gave instructions for Sabah AG, Brennedon to collaborate with the SLS team. The court’s crystal-clear decision is the best testimony of the effectiveness of SLS/SAG team.

The SLS-SAG Brenndon team has never been made public until now with Roger’s public statement that Hajiji’s Government has played vital role in SLS being able to win the court case convincingly.

Please read this: https://www.free malaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/10/17/ex-sabah-law-society-president-hails-state-govts-role-in-high-court-ruling. It goes to show that “Sabah for Sabahans” and “Rumah Kita, Kita Juga” collaboration can do miracles for Sabah in this 40% revenue cases, in regaining of rights in oil/gas and power generation. My whole hearted salutation and congratulations to SLS, Roger Chin who initiated the legal fight for Sabah’s 40% share of the revenue and SAG Brenndon. 

The stars in courtroom battle are Dr. David Fung Jeyan Marimuttu, two of the most brilliant Sabah litigant lawyers.

Hajiji, Brenndon, Roger, Dr David Fung and Jeyan are Sabah’s super heroes. Superb manifestations of their love for Sabah in “Sabah for Sabahans” and “Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga”. Out of pure love for their home-state Sabah, Roger, David and Jeyan have done it pro-bono and on their accord in this very complex and high-stake constitutional case. All future generations will benefit from their epic legal battle.

Finally, Sabahans can put to rest this 50 year old injustice with satisfaction. The exploitation is over.

“Sabah for Sabahans” is not a call to reject Federation, says Masidi.

Masidi made above headline on 9 October 2025. His statement on “Sabah for Sabahans” is, by far, the best from any political leaders in Sabah. 

Masidi’s statement is beyond mere slogan. It is meaningful in the context of Sabah in Malaysia. His statement is succinct, concise, pragmatic, above all, balanced and sensible. It is what most Sabahans want from “Sabah for Sabahans.”

Very few genuine prophets in “Sabah for Sabahans.” Most are false prophets.

“Sabah for Sabahans” has become the catch phrase in the on-going campaign. Many leaders have jumped into this “Sabah for Sabahans” bandwagon without doing their homework.

Very few leaders have bothered to delve in depth into the substance, policies, implementation and funding for “Sabah for Sabahans.” Most leaders are treating it like a slogan, expecting Sabahans will fall for it with emotional speeches. Talking is cheap. Stop the nonsensical empty slogans.

Time for thoughtless shouting “Sabah for Sabahans” is over. Time for leaders to put in serious work on its true meaning and how it can benefit Sabahans. 

Up to now, only Masidi has defined on the meaning of “Sabah for Sabahans.” Other Sabah based and Malayan parties have not gone beyond the slogan stage.

Very good for Sabah if other Sabahan parties and Malaya parties can produce their statements/plans for “Sabah for Sabahans.” 

Leaders claiming to embrace “Sabah for Sabahans” should produce their substantive statements, implementation plans, policies and where the money is going to come from.

These “Sabah for Sabahans” statements/plans should include the following components:

[1] Substantive statements/plans of “Sabah for Sabahans”, not mere shouting slogans to arouse emotion among Sabahans.

[2] The quality of their plans for “Sabah for Sabahans “can be only as good as their policies and implementations backed by sufficient fundings. Sabah political leaders have been notoriously bad in implementations, famous for NATO [No actions talk only]

[3] Where will the funds come from for their programme for “Sabah for Sabahans”. This aspect will require good governance, prudent financial management and amount that can be squeezed from the Federal Government. 

Competition among all major parties/coalitions on “Sabah for Sabahans” is more beneficial than all the on-going slandering, polemics and personal attacks.

I would not be surprised that there will be much more commonalities than differences in their respective statements/plans, implementations and policies There will be a lot of convergences which may form the basis of unity among politicians after election. 

If this is the case and if these leaders are truly for “Sabah for Sabahans,” they can quite easily bury their hatchets and unite for the common good of Sabahans.

“Sabah for Sabahans” can germinate a strong, convincing force for Sabah politicians to unite for a better Sabah.

“Sabah for Sabahans” is not divisive. Not meant to be divisive. Other states have their versions!

All true Sabahans, especially politicians, should and must not hold back on “Sabah for Sabahans” for any reason, especially just because some Malayan politicians say it is divisive. 

No difference from “Sarawak for Sarawakians,” “Bangsa Johor” or “Penang First.” Words may differ but their principle is the same as “Sabah for Sabahans.” Malaysians in these states, with no exception, want to retain their distinctive identities and cultures. Sultans in many states with their unique royal customs and protocols, are powerful unifying symbols for people in their states. Outstanding ones are Johor, Selangor, Perak and NS.

Within Malaysia, Malaysians are proud to be Sabahans like Johorean, Selangorean, Penangite or Anak Perak. Outside Malaysia, to foreigners, we are all Malaysians. This is a common practice in all nations.

Quite naturally, political leaders from each state at the state and Federal levels, would fight for the interest of their respective states. For example, Tun M/Langkawi, PMX/Penang Air Port/high tech industries. Johor CM Onn/Singapore and Johor Special Economic Zone that will integrate the economies of Singapore and Johor, Abang Jo/Petros vs Petronas, Hajji/oil and gas, state rights, 40% share of revenue.

“Sabah for Sabahans” is unifying all Sabahans. Divisive forces are in peninsula who have no idea about Malaysia’s formation but dare to to Sabah and Sarawak belongs to them, not people of Sabah and Sarawak.

Worst divisiveness is the use of religious and racial bigotries and political bullying in Malaya. Some Malayan politicians take every opportunity to exploit divisiveness for selfish gain. Thank God, Sabah leaders do not do these.

These are alien to Sabahans. We abhor them as they are against our core society values. We treasure our religious and racial harmony very highly. They are sacrosanct to all Sabahans. They are ingrained in our culture, families and DNA. Sabahans are taught from young to accept our diversities. Many Sabah families are multi racial and religious and jointly celebrate festivals together.

We do not need rules to attend each other’s function or interact with each other.

Sabah political leaders may fight each other politically but they never bully in politics. 

Malayan leaders who brand “Sabah for Sabahans” as divisive, should first stop the divisive politics over there first.

Sabahans must unite to prevent Malayan politicians from exporting the religious and racial bigotries and political bulling to Sabah.

Sabah must have a strong united government after election 2025. “Sabah for Sabahans” can be a strong rally force.

As always, I pray that Sabah politicians will stop fighting for self-interest. I hope that they will use “Sabah for Sabahans” as the anchor for unity. Sabah will never be strong economically if there is no unity. 

Going forward, Sabah cannot afford to have a weak government. History should have taught us the bitter lesson in the last 60 years. Hopefully, Sabahan politicians will group together to form a strong government after the 2025 election.

A weak Sabah government is disastrous. Sabah needs a strong government and political stability to maximize the court victory on 40% share of revenue.

 

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: Forum@dailyexpress.com.my