Resounding confidence in Sabah’s future

Published on: Sunday, January 28, 2024

By: Datuk John Lo

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Hajiji (seated centre) with participants of the Sabah Young Business & Industry Leaders Network (Sybil) engagement with the Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC) at Menara Kinabalu

LIKE me, Sybil leader James Wong has been asked this question countless times. Obviously, people asking are oblivious to or choose to ignore the progress that Hajiji has made in restructuring the Sabah’s economy since 2020. I would request them to read the newspaper to update themselves.

The SEAC’s “Meet and Greet” for Sabah Young Business and Industry Leaders on 17th January 2024 is the first of its kind for the Government to reach out to the Sabah Young Business and Industry Leaders.

Starting with 20, the number snowballed to 120, coming from a wide diversity of business, industry and professions. These young leaders are from KK, Sandakan and Tawau. A few made the special effort to fly back from KL.

The overwhelming response is indicative of a new breed of young Sabahans who want to create impacts in the Sabah’s economy. Most of them are returnees from overseas.

This is a new, exciting beginning for Sabah’s future.

SYBIL leaders are the new breed of Sabahans.

Very unlike their counter parts of old who had made their money, cocooned in their comfort zones, reinvested little in Sabah, contented to let Sarawakians and Malayans stage a major coup to take over Sabah’s economy.

These SYBIL leaders are a different breed, keenly aware that the loss of economic ownership cannot continue, no longer acceptable or tolerated, must be regained back.

The room was filled to the brim. More wanted to attend. Unfortunately, there just wasn’t room. However, I am certain James Wong and his team will roll out their plan that will facilitate the participation of all young Sabahans in their respective endeavours.

To reflect their diverse expertise, I append below some of their businesses, industries and professions. Those who attended have come from a wide spectrum of Sabah’s economy: [1] Legal, [2] IT, [3] Tourism, [4] Agriculture, [5] F n B, [6] Engineering [7] Architecture, [8] Construction, [9] Design and construction, [10] Aluminium and glass. [11] Building materials.

[12] Trading. [13] Hardware. [13] Developer. [14] Real estate. [15] Valuer. [16] Education. [17] Corporate training. [18] Event management. [19] Finance. [20] Insurance. [21] Interior [Built-in] [22] Frozen Halal food. Beverage manufacturing.

[23] Coffee chain and manufacturing. [24] Fast food. [25] Consumer goods manufacturing. [26] Kecap manufacturing. [27] Distribution. [28] Packaging Manufacturer. [29] Cruiser operators. [30] Bird nest. [31] Mining. [32] Doctors, Surgeons, Paediatricians, Health care.

At least another 10 types more.

GREAT MOVE: Hajiji’s support of SYBIL and other young Sabahans to take charge of Sabah’s economy.

Imagine this scenario. Sabah has lost ownership of our economy after Harris’ time. That is 2 generations of lost economic development. Now Hajiji’s is restructuring the economy, trying to re-establish economic control/ownership. Let’s say he can succeed in the next ten years.

Now imagine seriously, who is going to benefit if there are no SYBIL and other young Sabahans to take over? Hajiji’s hard work will be all in vain. Non-Sabahans will again reap the benefits. Sabahans will be left poor again.

The present “Sabah, the poorest state” saga will continue. I am afraid if we allow ourselves to lose the economy for the second time, then there is really no hope for Sabah.

The one most important issue for all Sabahans to address is to ensure our young business/economic leaders can takeover our fight to regain economic ownership.

Window? Not much time left. 1o years, max 15 years. The young generation must take over.

Sabah must build up our young economic leadership.

I am certain that Hajiji does not want to lose the Sabah’s economy again. Same for all Sabahans. For the sake of Sabah future generation, we must facilitate, encourage and do everything possible to groom a whole new generation of Sabahans business/economic leaders so that they can be in charge within next 10, maximum 15 years.

In this respect, our MIDE Minister Phoong will have an important role to play as entrepreneurship is under his portfolio. If I may suggest, he may wish to set up a division within MIDE, with a senior official [a young one!] to look after and to nurture our young Sabahan business/economic leaders.

Sabah’s MIDE Minister Phoong is the best minister to work with SYBIL leaders as he is young and is the youngest minister in Sabah’s history.

Hajiji has called on SYBIL leaders to work with SEAC to give him a policy recommendation on the role of Sabah Young Business and Industry Leaders.

There are many sensible reasons for Hajiji wanting to groom Sabah Young Business and Industry Leaders.

This is historical. Hajiji is the first CM to invite young Sabahan leaders to work with SEAC, to give him a policy recommendation for their future.

This is highly commendable. Such a unique opportunity will give young Sabahan business/economic leaders an opportunity to chart their economic role now and for the future. I hope many young Sabahans will make an effort to contribute inputs in the drafting of this policy recommendation.

Implementation of such a policy on the role of young Sabahan business/economic leaders will mark a very important new milestone for Sabah.

- The views expressed here are the views of the writer Datuk John Lo and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.

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