ADVERTISEMENT
Political strength is bargaining power
Published on: Sunday, October 29, 2023
By: Datuk John Lo
Text Size:
Let’s face some hard knocks of reality in economics in the context of Federal/Sabah relationship.
As an example, Hajiji has achieved a tremendous amount of success in redressing and restoring Sabah’s MA63 rights.
These did not come about over some pleasant cups of coffee or dinners, only after much meticulous strategic planning, preparation, research and hard bargaining. Never easy to regain rights that have been given away for free in the last 40 years.
West Malaysians have enjoyed free rides from Sabahans for too long to give up willingly. For example, even though Hajiji has achieved a lot more than the last 30 years, much work is yet to be completed in oil and gas.
And there are dozens of areas to sort out too. There is and will never be any walk over in this game. It is tough serious game.
While sorting out the oil and gas, then the NIMP2030 surfaced to almost ignore Sabah completely.
Sabahans should appreciate/realise the many enormously complex Sabah/Federal problems to be unravelled.
No overnight solution exists or is possible. Every solution will require meticulous planning, execution and hard bargaining.
Sabah does not need armchair critiques who are unwilling or unable to produce solutions. What is much needed most is gutsier Sabahan MPs and DUNs, knowledgeable in the economics of Sabah/Federal relationship to speak out assertively for our economic rights in Parliament and State Assembly.
Reality checks for Sabah.
Sabahans want to be equal partner in Malaysia? Equitable treatment? To be respected and have equal say? These are possible only if Sabahans are united politically.
No political unity, no responsible economic leadership can only mean one and one scenario only, exploitation of our resources by non-Sabahans and perennial poverty among Sabahans.
We can’t blame anybody. We are to blame if Sabahans can’t unite to protect our economic rights. This failure to unite has impoverished Sabah for too long. Being poor and disunited, Sabah has no bargaining power.
Believe me that Sabah is really poor. Refer to the Malaysian Statistic Department. But Sabah needs not and should not be poor because Sabah has lots of resources.
Excessive selfishness has impoverished Sabahans.
But why has Sabah become so poor?
Sabahans have inflicted the most damages to Sabah. For the last 40 years, Sabah has a never-ending supply of selfish leaders who have plundered Sabah’s resources especially timber, sold land for a song to West Malaysian companies for oil palm plantations, pocketed state funds.
The private sector players are to be blamed too. The timber tycoons cut the logs, sold them and kept their money in HK. No reinvestment back to Sabah. Many have also “submarined” logs out illegally.
Leaders and officials have colluded with these Sabahan businessmen.
To protect and cling on to their positions, the leaders have kowtowed and surrendered Sabah interests to Federal leaders. Acceleration of Sabah’s economic recovery. This can be done conditional upon the followings:
[a] Leaders must have economic leadership and love for Sabah.
Not good enough that political fighting among Sabahan leaders has reduced in recent months. They must improve on economic leadership.
Till now, most of the 25MPs and 79 DUNs have little focus on economic development for the benefit of their constituents. How many have economic development plans for their constituencies? How many of them are willing to go down to the level of their constituents and work with them to develop their constituencies?
How many of the 25 MPs and 79DUNs have a comprehensive knowledge of the[a] TSA2012, [b] SLS’ court case on 40pc net revenue, [c] The Petroleum Act, [d] national budget issues that have worked against Sabah, [e] extreme slow implementation of projects that Hajiji has spoken out many times. [f] Have the 25 MPs and 79 DUNs shown concern of the unemployment of youths, the migrations of their young voters from their constituencies to seek work in West Malaysia and Singapore? [g] What have the MPs and DUNS who are responsible for the 5 poorest districts in Malaysia done for their people in these districts? Any response or action from these YBs since these 5 districts have been designated poorest?
[b] Private sector business leaders.
Sabah has produced many successful business leaders. Many have either shifted their operation/wealth outside or are contented to keep to themselves. I hope some will gather together to help with developing Sabah. In doing so, they can produce initiatives to develop Sabah under the Sabahans First Policy.
[c] Elite corps of government officers for economic planning and implementations.
Turning around Sabah is a textbook case of extreme and complex difficult endeavour. Hajiji’s initiative to restructure Sabah’s economy is already bearing dividends especially in oil/gas.
However, Hajiji’s effort will face considerably headwinds if there is no vast improvement in Sabah’s present delivery system. Hajiji has expressed his frustration on “Little Napoleons” a few times already. These “Little Napoleons” if left at their devices, will block or worse, will cause failures to Hajiji’s economic restructure plan.
Turning around Sabah’s economy is like fighting a tough war. Can’t underestimate its complexities and difficulties. The solution to overcome Sabah’s many economic and delivery system problems lie in having an elite corps of specially selected government officials.
Their single task is to identify and solve Sabah’s economic problems. These elite officers are like the special operation forces in the military, specially chosen with a specific tough duty to perform.
These elite corps of officers will be a formidable force in solving Sabah’s problems if they can be supplemented by private sector expertise. This arrangement is quite common in many advance countries.
Combining SKN Safar’s digitization programme and the elite corps of officers can solve/rectify most of Sabah’s problems in the delivery system.
Are there such officials who can do the job? Yes. I am sure there are a number. I have met some of them who are dedicated and committed.
[d] Develop young Sabahan economic/business leaders.
I have noticed a number of young Sabahans, many are returnees from overseas, who are becoming economic/business leaders, some professionals too. Most encouraging. It would be good for these young Sabahans to group up and chart their economic vision for Sabah. After all, they will be in control within the next 10 years.
Many Sabahans are judgemental, few have solutions. Too many Sabahans are quick to pass judgements and condemnations, some without assessing latest facts.
Their anger is understandable after having suffered, having been burdened by many non-performing leaders in the last 40 years. The question is---will it help Sabah to recover from its black deep hole? Will it help Sabah to catch up in development?
It is gratifying to see that Hajiji has reached out to a number of Sabahans from the private sector for their contributions to rectify economic problems and growth for the economy. In this respect, I hope Sabahan business leaders can come forward to help too.
Ultimately, Sabahans must have inherent economic strength, must get organized for economic development to benefit Sabahans.
The ultimate solution for Sabah’s economic future is within Sabahans, our leaders, our businessmen, our government officials and every Sabahan. We, as the people of Sabah must take possession and ownership of our state, protect it for our future generations from exploitation by others.
- The views expressed here are the views of the writer Datuk John Lo and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.
- If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
ADVERTISEMENT
