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HAJIJI’S FIGHT FOR SABAH’S ECONOMIC EQUITY AND PARITY IS A LONG BATTLE. Sabah’s rights have been eroding from day one since MA63. I can remember Mustapha’s dilemma and deep frustrations for Sabah and the consequences that had befallen him at the end of his political career.

In short, the erosion of Sabah’s rights, including the non-payment of 40% and many other things, have gone on for more than 60 years. Most Sabahan leaders have been compliant and acquiescent most of the time, playing the “goody-goody boy” to the Federal bosses especially during the rotation of CM. 

Sadly, a few have taken to shouting needlessly, not knowing that they are doing great disservice to Sabah’s fight for economic equity and parity. They are playing into the very hands of those who do not wish Sabah well.

Many political leaders and Sabahans may not realise that when Hajiji started to fight for Sabah’s rights, the 60 plus old erosion is deeply entrenched, highly complex politically and financially. There are also many sensitive areas that have national implications. 

Especially so where it involves money, our money that should have been due to us. The reason is simply this. This money that is suppose to come to us has been spent on the Petronas Twin Towers, high profile projects, highways, airports, massive corruption [many cases of which are now surfacing]. Money that is ours has been spent recklessly, so much so that Malaysia’s national debt has reached RM1.3 trillion [not billion]. The Federal Government, worried by the overspending, has to prioritize.

Payment to Sabah for the 40% does not seem to be high priority for KL. Hence the procrastinations. 

CAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAY SABAH? IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILLING TO PAY SABAH? 

The simple answer to these questions is NO. Tun M and Lim Guan Eng have said so ON RECORD PUBLICLY. The current procrastinations on the court’s decision is a clear message pointing in same direction. 

The hard fact is this. Federal leaders are not willing to scale back their spending in Malaya to pay Sabah.

The wording, the indication and direction adopted by PMX are not positive. There just isn’t concrete evidence to get convinced on. On contrary, the opposite is pretty obvious. I share Roger Chin’s grave doubt.

I love to be corrected by PMX if my presumption is wrong!

HAJIJI’S SUN TZU STRATEGY WILL WORK.

Given the history, the accumulated amount and the financial implications on the Federal Government’s weak financial position, HAJIJI’s BATTLE FOR SABAH IS VERY TOUGH, WILL REQUIRE A COOL HEAD, STRATEGIC MIND AND POLITICAL SUBTLETY.

Shouting and aggressively beating the chest can help very little except adding to the noise.

Hajiji’s strategy is very similar to Sun Tzu’s principle which has stood relevant since the 5th century (Eastern Zhou period). He is best known for authoring The Art of War, a foundational treatise that remains highly influential for military, political, and business strategy worldwide.

Sun Tzu’s most important principle is “True mastery lies in achieving your goals with maximum efficiency and minimal conflict”.

Using Sun Tzu’s principle, more can be achieved with the 40% and other issues.

Hajiji is Sabah’s first CM to get back some oil and gas rights. No shouting, accusation, or open confrontation, Hajiji has already got part of the job done. Got back some important rights back for Sabah in oil and gas and the CCA signed and sealed. Both of these are giving Sabahans well-deserved stakes in jobs and business in oil and gas.

First ever for Sabah. Same with ECoS. ECoS has already put in place to resolve Sabah’s 4 decades power woes by 2030. 

Most importantly, Hajiji has rebalanced the Sabah/Federal relationship for Sabah to have a strong base on negotiation with the Federal Government. 

40% IS IMPORTANT. OTHER ISSUES ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR SABAHANS.

Sabahan leaders must never lose sights in the following issues. Their economic significance is equally crucial for Sabah in the long term.

Sabah’s representation in fiscal and monetary policies and their implementations.

In BNM’s recent briefing on the economy, Malaysia’s economy will continue to be robust in 2026 notwithstanding the evolving grave global uncertainties. Malaysia’s economic growth will be 4.5% to 5%. Sabah’s will be around 2%. Is BNM worried for Sabah’s low growth rate? No. The report has very little relevance to Sabah. At the present rate, Sabah will continue to be left behind farther and farther.

BNM, being Malaysia’s custodian of the monetary eco-system, has paid scant attention to address Sabah’s economic predicaments. Sabah, a 1/3 partner of Malaysia, is mentioned in passing only.

Sabahans have numerous problems gaining access to financial institutions like banks.

The bank officials with high titles like regional directors, regional mangers are in fact quite powerless. They have to seek approvals from their KL bosses almost everything.

Sabah must have representation on the Board of BNM and all fiscal and monetarybodies in KL.

Sabah’s representation in critical planning organisations.

Responding with inputs for 5-year plan is useless. Sabah must be part of the decision-making process. So is the NIMP2030 [National Industrialization Master Plan] that PMX has announced. A kindergarten kid can tell you Sabah has been sidelined. All the exciting and latest high-tech projects are in Malaya. Non are in Sabah. 

PMX has no focus on Sabah during all his overseas investment promotion trips. What does it tell us? 

Sabah’s representation in Federal GLCs.

Remember Sabah is a 1/3 partner of Malaysia. Sabah should have representation in all important GLCs. Why? The Federal GLCs have combined assets of RM1.8 trillion. They  invest hundreds of billions in Malaya and overseas. Why not in Sabah? How much these GLCs have invested in Sabah? FELDA has the biggest single plantation in Malaysia in Sahabat, Sabah. What FELDA have in oil palm downstream in Sabah?

These GLCs are partnering foreign investors in many projects in Malaya. Why don’t they locate some of these investments in Sabah? 

How many jobs are there in these GLCs. One estimate is 500,000 or 5% of total work force. How many of these jobs are in Sabah? How many Sabahans are working for these GLCs? How many Sabahans are holding senior positions?

Sabah’s equity share of development funds.

Sabah is having a huge problem getting paid on what is constitutionally ours. Getting an equity share of development funds is like Sabah going to the moon tomorrow.

Sabah must be assertive and fight for a definite portion of the total development funding. We must not allow the practice of past 60 years, begging for handouts, playing balls with the Federal leaders. Sabah is 1/3 of Malaysia. Our entitlement as 1/3 partner must and should be defined and held.

We can see that Sabah’s budget is bigger than all the states in Malaya, including the most advance states of Selangor and Penang. Why are they so advance and Sabah so backward? Simple answer is: The Federal Government has poured billions and billions to develop these states. If the Federal Government has been fair, Sabah should be allocated similar if not more than Selangor and Penang. Where is our share of the money from Sabah’s oil and gas that have been pumped out since 1974. 

Is the Federal Government practising discrimination, favouritism and preference against Sabah? The facts of the last 60 years speak for itself. 

WHAT CAN SABAH DO? WHAT MUST SABAH POLITICAL LEADERS DO?

In the final analysis it boils to only 1 thing: political power.

In the past 60 years, Sabah’s politicians want power for themselves. Very selfish motive. All Sabahans have suffered for this political selfishness.

For as long as I can remember, the political power has concentrated in Malaya, especially during Tun M’s first term of 22 years.

The centre of political power in Malaya is being diluted. No party or coalition is likely to gain majority in Parliament in the next GE. 

Sabah and Sarawak will be the king makers. As king makers together, much can be achieved in redressing all the above.

For Sabah, there is only thing to do in the coming Parliamentary Election.

A lot is at stake for Sabahans and future generations. Fighting among ourselves will destroy us.  

All Sabah political leaders must have one aim, one purpose, irrespective of political affiliation: join in the fight for Sabah’s 40% and all other rights that Hajiji has started, unite for Sabah’s economic equity and parity.

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