GRS Must Explain: Why Is Sabah Just a Bystander in the Borneo Energy Future?

Daily power disruptions in Sabah is mostly man-made and a menace to the disappointed consumers.

By Daniel John Jambun, 18-6-2025

WE take note of Premier Abang Johari’s revelation that the Prime Minister of Malaysia has asked Sarawak to explore an energy grid extension to the Southern Philippines — via Sabah.

This development is not just technically significant. It is politically damning for the GRS government.

Once again, Sabah is being sidelined in shaping its own future — treated not as a strategic energy player, but as a transmission corridor for Sarawak’s ambitions. And once again, the GRS government has nothing to show except silence, subservience, and surrender.

Let us be clear:

Sabah has vast renewable energy potential — from hydro and solar to geothermal and biomass — yet under GRS, no serious roadmap or large-scale energy development has taken place. Meanwhile, Sarawak boasts 7GW in capacity and is leading the way in ASEAN energy diplomacy.

Sarawak supplies electricity to Kalimantan, will soon export to Sabah, and now is exploring links to the Philippines — all while GRS can’t even ensure stable electricity for Sabahans, especially in the East Coast.

Where is Sabah’s voice in this regional agenda? Why is Sarawak being courted for cross-border energy leadership while Sabah remains directionless under GRS?

Sabahans deserve to know: What has GRS done to position Sabah in the ASEAN Power Grid? Where is our 10-year energy masterplan? Where are our investments in clean energy, energy storage, or cross-border transmission?

GRS leaders love to speak of BIMP-EAGA, regional integration, and economic corridors — but when history is being written, Sabah is absent. And this absence is not accidental. It is the consequence of a weak Chief Minister, a visionless Cabinet, and a government more concerned with clinging to power than planning for progress.

We call on GRS to answer the following:

Did the Chief Minister of Sabah participate in any discussions with the Prime Minister on this proposed Sarawak-Southern Philippines energy link?

Was Sabah even consulted before being turned into a passive transit route for Sarawak’s power lines?

What role — if any — is Sabah playing in ASEAN’s regional energy planning?

If GRS had any pride, it would fight for Sabah to be at the centre of Borneo’s energy future — not its periphery.

This is the difference between leadership and lethargy. Between building the future, and watching it pass by.

Daniel John Jambun is President of

Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)

&

Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS)