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FOR 40 years, no Sabahan leader has attempted the monumental challenge to transform Sabah’s economy to the scale that Hajiji has been doing since becoming CM in 2020. 

Sabah’s extensive, deep-rooted, decades old economic problems are grossly under-under-estimated and to a certain extent, misunderstood.

In a nutshell, it is tough, very tough to heal 40 years of sluggish economy [including negative growth in many years] which has been plagued by mismanagement, negligence, gross misgovernance by political warlords, lopsided agreements, and/or corruption. Infrastructures were collapsing. 

Tearing down the economy, plundering and despoliation of Sabah’s resources are easy and self-enriching. 

Combining the righting all the economic wrongs, rebuilding and expanding the economy is a super tough job. Many Sabahans do not appreciate the complexity of this challenge.

There is a very serious misperception that all the problems that Hajiji has inherited can disappear by him waving a magic wand. In the first place, there is no such magic wand in real life. Such expectation is a fairy tale only. Remember: Even great men like Lee Kuan Yew and Deng Xiao Ping had to struggle for years to build up their countries. 

Sadly, many Sabahans, regretfully even some senior professionals/consultants and numerous politicians, are oblivious or refuse to recognise the massive financial, physical, technical complexities and constraints of the economic problems in Sabah. 

Also, not realising that Sabah’s budget, though it has almost doubled since Hajiji has taken over as CM, is insufficient to sort out all the infrastructure problems at once. Example: No matter what, it is impossible to plan, design and build a dam for power generation within 1 or 2 years.

As example, these same consultants and politicians, if only they can make some efforts to keep abreast with ECoS’ immense progress in sorting out the power problems, are very much in the dark even though the details are widely available in the public domain.

ECoS, under the chairmanship of Hajiji and very professionally managed by Nasser and his all-Sabahan team, within two short years, has put together a comprehensive plan with confirmed approvals and implementation schedule. 

Thanks to ECoS, the 40 years of power shortages and additional supply for Sabah’s rapidly expanding industrialization will be resolved progressively by 2030. 

Considering the enormity of the problems, ECoS has produced a miracle. No way this could be done when power generation was under the Federal Government.

Application for 1 power generation project could be sitting in KL for 18 years.

The under appreciation of the problems in power, like all other problems, is regrettably, common.

Many politicians, including some of those in opposition, don’t or can’t appreciate Sabah’s decades old immense economic problems.

These politicians have been making superficial comments and feeble negative criticisms like some mosquitos trying to bite through an elephant’s skin. 

Many of them have been in government, have created part of the problems and have done little to solve them.

They shouldn’t blast out opinions or criticisms without conducting in-depth research or at least, consult someone with an intimate knowledge of the situation. 

These leaders are not helpful. Their attitude can only aggravate the situation. They can’t make our lives better.

Politicians should upgrade themselves to competition of effective ideas in politics. 

Criticisms don’t need much brain. They can destroy the fabric of cohesion and solidarity among Sabahans which are badly needed for Sabah to fight for our MA63 rights, especially the 40%.

The way forward for all government and opposition politicians is to upgrade the quality of their political discourse/arguments to a higher level, i.e. competition of ideas of how best to fight for our rights, the most effective way to expand our economy and safeguards our resources and wealth which have been hijacked and siphoned off by non-Sabahans in the past 40 years. 

To some young and new YBs, don’t be hasty to criticize blindly. You’re exposing your ignorance and ineffectiveness. At best, you can be a good entertainer. Think deeply before blaring out. 

True leaders show grit, bravery and above all, substance in deeds, thoughts and words. Think of Lee Kuan Yew and Deng Xiao Ping. The best example in Sabah is Roger Chin who has spear-headed Sabah’s 40% fight. 

He is championing an issue that is close to the hearts of all Sabahans. It is meaningful and beneficial to all Sabahans. 

His contribution is enormous. It is fitting that Hajiji has appointed him as a Nominated Assemblyman even though he does not belong to any party nor is he in politics. 

He is the first non-political professional in DUN. I pray more Sabahans like Roger will emerge to contribute and fight for Sabah’s rights. 

Hajiji’s transformation of Sabah’s economy is progressing beyond expectation. More challenges to overcome.

Hajiji’s transformation will be speeded up now that he has a much stronger government, with 2/3 majority in DUN.

Considering the decades old, deeply entrenched economic problems that he has inherited, he has fought hard and is continuing to steer Sabah onto a sustainable long term economic growth path. Here are some examples:

[1] Sabah’s MA 63 rights. The mother of all Sabah’s problems. 

Hajiji has regained some Sabah rights, the most outstanding of which are the oil and gas, CCA and ECoS. Very tough challenge ahead is the 40% net revenue [expect Malayans to procrastinate!], Sabah’s rights to partake in fiscal, monetary policies, federal GLCs and GLICs which control trillions of RM [not billions!] They have done next to nothing for Sabah. All these money have gone to Malaya.

As a 1/3 partner in Malaysia, Sabah must have 1/3 representation in all the Boards of Directors of Federal GLC/GLIC and Agencies. 

The Sabah/Federal relationship can only improve faster if there is a strong Sabah government like now, political unity of purpose by all politicians in government and opposition. 

The message of “Sabah for Sabahans” from all Sabahans to the Malayan parties in the last Sabah GE is very clear.

Sabahans must unite to send the same message in the coming Parliamentary election which can happen anytime in 2026 or latest 2027. The political situation is Malaya is chaotic and is grave cause for concern. We want Sabahan leaders to manage Sabah, not a postman for Malayan parties or politicians.

[2] Solutions for infrastructure related issues are in hand and will be fully resolved in due time.

Solutions for power, water and roads will be resolved. I have mentioned ECoS already. Pan Borneo, after many delays, will be expedited. Full details are in the public domain. 

Understandable that Sabahans are impatient with the decades-old infrastructures.

[3] Unemployment was Sabah’s worst nightmare. Not anymore.

There is now a shortage of Sabahans to meet demand in the oil and gas industry. 

[4] Sabah’s unemployment showed a significant recovery.

It declined to 5.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to 7.2 per cent in the same period in 2024. As Hajiji’s economic recovery take further root, there will be more jobs in the market. Unemployment will reduce further.

https://newswav.com/article/sharp-drop-in-sabah-jobless-rate-A2603_usd3go

[5] Hajiji’s biggest achievement. More will come if Trump’s war can be tempered soon.

It is his investor friendly policies that has attracted RM58 billions of investments. No previous Sabah government or CM has achieved this large sum of investment. 

This investment has gone or will go into new manufacturing and other new industries that will create an industrial foundation for Sabah, to transform and add manufacturing to Sabah’s economy. 

[6] Hajiji has begun to revamp GLCs. This is Sabah’s 2nd mother of all problems. 

The GLCs have been Sabah’s biggest liability. Already, he has appointed several quality chairmen, directors, senior management, young Sabahans and suitably qualified professionals. 

Examples: ISB [RogerChin] SMM [Natasha Sim], SEDCO [James Wong], Qhazanah [Mohd. Damshal], TAED [Alijus Sipil], Sabah Energy [Adzmi], SOGDC [Admir], SMJ Energy [Dr. Dionysia], DBKK [Lifred Wong], JTU [Alan Chua], MAFFI [new SUT Jumain Abdul Ghani]. All these are non-politicians and qualified professionals. No political consideration in their appointment. 

Sabahans can expect substantial improvements in GLCs soon.

[8] Hajiji has also begun to crackdown on laggard officers in the civil service.

The economy will move much faster when the quality of civil service has improved with “elite officers”!

[9] Hajiji has instructed The Sabah Law Reform Council to review the Sabah Land Ordinance. Land administration under the present Land Ordinance is a huge brake of the economy and is generating very little revenue. 

This is a major exercise as there has never been a thorough review. This council, under the chairmanship of Tan Sri David Wong has been hard at work on this. 

On completion, which is expected soon, land administration will be improved immensely. It will have immense beneficial impact in the economy and the property sector. All Sabahans will appreciate this initiative!

Hajiji’s Blue Economy, which will involve development of economic relationship with other countries, will change Sabah’s economic landscape.

The Blue Economy, which is being implemented, will be the next major source of economic opportunities for Sabah and all Sabahans. The Blue Economy has already attracted great interests from several countries. 

Hajiji has already announced the establishment of Sabah Sovereign Fund.

This is new. Exciting! Hajiji is already thinking for the future generations. 

Will require Sabahan top brains with undoubted credibility. With the increasing enlargement of state reserves, the establishment of this Sovereign Fund is a wise and sensible move to safe-guard wealth for future generations.

A distinguished and internationally respected Sabahan is expected to head this important fund.

Jafry will spearhead the elevating value of tourist arrivals.

Jafry has already announced he wants to up the present low value model to high value one. 

This can be done if and when the private sector stakeholders, especially the major hotel/resort are willing to work with him. Together, this can be done as has been proven in other destination.

Jamawi is the most proactive on the ground Minister of MAFFI.

Expect this sector, which has been grossly underperforming to fly soon. Food sufficiency and Food Security are being looked into with utmost urgency. 

So is the commercialization  and export of high value fruits like durians, avocados, pineapples. Life for farmers, most of  whom are now in the B40, will see better lives. Ewon is already pushing for Sabah First on the ground!

He, like Jamawi, is everywhere on the ground personally. I am confident he will solve most of the problems that Sabah’s farmers are facing and create new economic opportunities for them. 

Again, it is imperative for the private sector players in Sabah to give him their support and cooperation.

Under appreciation of Hajiji’s economic progress for Sabah is one thing. Ignoring the opportunities can mean loss of opportunities.

Thanks to Hajiji’s success in fighting for Sabah’s share in the oil and gas industry. Here are some facts:

[1] Massive Leap: In 2018, Sabahan companies held only 3% of the oil and gas contract market share in the state. By late 2025, this figure surged to 36%.

[2] Monetary Growth: The total value of contracts awarded to local firms grew from RM341 million in 2021 to over RM2 billion by the end of 2024—a roughly 480% increase in three years.

[3] 2026 Target: The state government has set a target to increase local participation in Oil & Gas Services and Equipment (OGSE) contracts to at least 60% by 2026

Additionally, Hajiji has mandated that Sabahans must comprise 80% of the work force at all levels in the oil and gas industry. 

I urge all politicians, irrespective of political parties, all business leaders, professionals, chairmen of chambers of commerce, NGOs wanting to help Sabahans to have better lives, to explore the opportunities that are unfolding before our eyes. 

This will be their best contribution to the fulfilment of the “Sabah for Sabahans” policy.

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