Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

MANY Sabahans have responded to my comments on “false prophets” in Sabah.

For which, I wish to thank them all. Quite a few have said that Sabah is being besieged by these false prophets. 

The issue of false prophets is historical because some past leaders have encouraged it for their selfish reasons or simply lax management. 

Many false prophets who claim to know our problems and have the solutions are simply not qualified to advise Sabah.  These include those with high sounding titles like Regional Directors, V Presidents and other impressive titles. In essence, they are mere middle management. These titles have been created to impress the people in the street. They are NOT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. They have little authority, especially decision -making authority and knowledge of macro and micro policies. Most are mere postmen with great titles.

Most worrying is that some of these purveyors of influence have penetrated the corridor of power!

KLSE have 1115 Public List Companies. Very few have solid financials and credible management. Many Chairmen or CEOs of PLCs have come to Sabah looking for deals. 

They come to Sabah hawking their PLC dressed-up status. Most JVs of GLC with these PLCs have either not taken off or have failed. KK has many such failed projects. One GLC has allowed a Malayan company to extend the contract to develop a prime property in KK after 5 years of “no action”. What is going on?  

Many small/medium non-Sabahan companies have non-Sabahans working for them. They have been given high sounding titles. They are taking away jobs from Sabahans.

Many very low-level staff in plantation offices, in foreign tour offices are non-Sabah and likely to have no work permits. Enforcement on non-Sabahan workers is very lax. The whole system needs a thorough cleaning up.

A number of Chinese companies with dubious creditability, aided by Sabahans, are marauding for opportunities. They boast of millions and billions. Be wary with them. This is 2026. Many Sabahans can help Sabah. Sabah can discard false prophets and purveyors of influence.

Hajiji’s style of inclusive government has attracted many Sabahans to contribute for Sabah’s future. The latest and most prominent is Andrew Sheng. Sabah has no shortage of talents and brain power.  

In banking, finance, economics and accountancy, there is no better person than Andrew Sheng whom CM has appointed Special Advisor. Andrew is [1] Member of the China International Advisory Council for the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA). [2] Member of the International Advisory Council for the China Investment Corporation (CIC) and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). [3] The Chief Adviser to the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC).

In business, Sabah has C K Lau [Hap Seng], David Chu [Jesselton International], Hong Ngit Ming [Teck Guan], Alvin Kwan [Kwantas] and many others.

Sabah has many prominent legal brains, leading is David Wong and his Law Reformation Council members. They are revamping Sabah’s laws, some of which have not been updated in decades.

Noteworthy are: Sabin, former CEO of Income Tax and now Mayor of KK. He is transforming KK. Mohd Damshal who is the CEO of Qhazanah. He has over 30 years of experience in fund management and investment.  Sabah has the Sabah Professional Council consisting of more than 5000 professionals of various Sabah-based professional associations. Many other professionals are based in West Malaysia, Singapore and other countries.

On medical, there are some very good Sabahan doctors in Sabah, including those in QE. Some are holding senior positions in W Malaysia, Singapore and other countries.

Other very prominent Sabahans are 

[1] Jeffrey Tiong (Founder & CEO, PatSnap): Born in Sabah, Tiong founded PatSnap, one of the world's leading AI-powered R&D and patent analytics platforms. The company is a global “soonicorn” with offices in Singapore, London, and the US, serving giants like NASA, Xiaomi, and Apple. He famously represented Singapore at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year awards, but remains a proud Sabahan success story. 

[2] Viviantie Sarjuni (CEO, Insken; former CEO, SCENIC): A key figure in Sabah’s innovation ecosystem, she was recently honoured as the Public Social Innovator of the Year 2026 by the Schwab Foundation (in partnership with the World Economic Forum). Her work focuses on bridging the gap between high-FFO

[3] Datuk Ir. Bacho Pilong (Senior VP, Petronas): Hailing from Tawau, he holds one of the highest technical leadership positions in Malaysia as the Senior Vice President of Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM). 

[4].Wong Kim Mun (General Manager, Sabah Shell Petroleum Company):

Oversees Shell’s upstream and high-tech deepwater operations in the region, which involve some of the most sophisticated subsea technology in the world (e.g., the Malikai and Gumusut-Kakap platforms).

Sabah must have confidence in Sabahans. As can be seen above, Sabah has many talented and well qualified Sabahans. Most of Sabah’s problems can be resolved by Sabahan expertise. Only those exceptional ones do we need outsiders.

With the progress to date, Hajiji has eliminated a lot of risk and uncertainties associated with a stagnant economy for Sabahan investors. 

I want to address another issue, if I may. This is Sabahans having confidence in Sabah’s economy.

Hajiji has made impressive/substantial progress in restructuring and transforming Sabah’s economy. A very substantial number of foreign investments have come in, Sabah/Federal relationship is being rebalanced. Problems in infrastructures are well on being resolved. Latest is the RM5.98 billion of Ph 1, Ulu Padas Water Supply Scheme.

In short, Hajiji’s transformation of the Sabah’s economy has opened up many opportunities for Sabahan businessmen and professionals. 

Now is the time for them to seriously consider securing a slice of this fast-improving economy. 

Time for Sabahans to show their mettle. Stop being bystanders.

Sabahans must have confidence. Stride out and grab the opportunities. 

“Sabah for Sabahans” will not materialize in the fullest if Sabahan businessmen/professionals adopt “wait and see”. Staying by the side line or waiting for biblical manna to drop from heaven is not the way.

It is obvious that Sabah economy is recovering well. The sign is there for anyone who wants to see. Senior Bankers [not reginal directors] are scouting around. CEOs of some very large companies, besides those already here, are looking into investment of more billions. 

More attuned to ordinary Sabahans are the mushrooming of cafes, unbelievable variety of international restaurants and latest popular outlets of all types. 

Non-Sabahans are flocking into Sabah.

As for Sabahans, only some have entered the oil and gas industry. Participation of Sabahans is a historical high in this industry. They have taken the advantage of CCA [Commercial Collaboration Agreement] between Sabah Government and Petronas, coupled with Hajiji’s imposition that staff in all oil and gas companies must have 80% Sabahan.

Sabahans should be looking into logistics, manufacturing, biomass, clean energy, ITP, transport, up value tourism and, downstream in CPO, high value fruits and food. Will Sabahans let history repeat itself? Sabahans have allowed outsiders control most of our economy, oil palm, until recently, oil and gas, hotels, property development, motor workshop and most of other things. Many non-Sabahans are working without permits. Sabahans are too easy going and unwilling to assert to protect our interest.

We allow and readily accept “false prophets” which other states would have slumped their door to their faces. 

Don’t let self-doubt cloud our eyes. The question to be asked is why non-Sabahans can see the opportunities. Why can’t Sabahans? 

Is it because “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink” or Sabahans have accepted the economic defeat that is: we are destined for non-Sabahans to be our economic masters?

I leave this question for the Sabahan businessmen and the professionals to answer.

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