Stop the Excuses — GRS Cannot Outsource Accountability for Sabah’s Collapse

Sabah's roads are in bad shape everywhere and anywhere. Whose fault? Sheer incompetent, said many.

By Daniel John Jambun, 29-5-2025

WE take note of the recent remarks by Datuk Masidi Manjun, who attempted to deflect responsibility for Sabah’s broken roads, power outages, and water crisis by blaming the Federal Government. 

According to him, these problems are outside the state’s control — as if the GRS-led government is merely an innocent bystander.

Let us be clear: this is not governance — it is cowardice.

1. GRS Is Part of the Federal Government — Not Its Victim

Masidi wants the public to believe that GRS is being failed by the Federal Government. But let’s not forget:

GRS is the Federal Government in Sabah, through its alliance with Pakatan Harapan.

Hajiji Noor’s government is part and parcel of the unity government led by Anwar Ibrahim.

If the federal administration is neglecting Sabah, GRS shares full responsibility for that neglect.

You cannot share power in Putrajaya and then pretend you have no say in how Sabah is treated.

2. From Boasting to Blaming — GRS Cannot Have It Both Ways

Not long ago, GRS leaders and loyalists were bragging about their “fine and close relationship” with the federal government — insisting that such proximity would bring more development and funding to Sabah.

So what happened?

Why is that “special relationship” now being used as a scapegoat for failure?

Why is Hajiji suddenly powerless, if everything was supposedly done in partnership with Putrajaya?

You can’t claim credit when things go right, and then shift blame when things fall apart. That’s not leadership — that’s deception.

3. The Power Crisis Is a Failure of Will, Not Jurisdiction

Yes, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) owns SESB. But that didn’t stop Sarawak from asserting energy sovereignty, developing its own transmission infrastructure, and launching hydrogen exports.

What has GRS done?

No clear roadmap to restructure SESB.

No political push to reclaim regulatory control.

No strategic energy vision for Sabah.

“Jurisdiction” is not the problem. The problem is GRS lacks the will and the courage to act.

4. Water Crisis: Masidi Forgets the Sabah Watergate Scandal

Masidi blames a past administration for ending a concession — but he conveniently forgets the real source of Sabah’s water disaster: corruption at the highest levels.

Let us remind the public:

In the Sabah Watergate Scandal, the MACC seized RM114 million in cash, gold, and luxury items from top Water Department officials.

Court proceedings named ministers and political cronies as beneficiaries of kickbacks.

Funds meant for rural clean water were siphoned off while ordinary Sabahans had to live with empty pipes.

Why has GRS never demanded justice?

Why was the investigation buried?

Why is Masidi silent now?

Because too many are still protecting the political class that profited from the people’s suffering.

5. Leadership Requires Ownership — Not Excuses

GRS cannot preach about good governance while running from responsibility.

You cannot:

Boast about being close to the federal government,

Claim to represent Sabah’s autonomy,

And then cry “federal jurisdiction” when roads are broken, power is unstable, and people have no water.

The people of Sabah are not fools. They see through the deflections, the silence, and the cowardice.

Sabah doesn’t need a government that makes excuses.

Sabah needs a government that delivers.

GRS has failed.

Daniel John Jambun is President of

Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS).#~Borneo Herald™