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By Daniel John Jambun, 5-8-2025
THE recent attack by Gagasan Rakyat Sabah’s Chief Information Officer, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, accusing Warisan President Datuk Shafie Apdal of recycling “old promises” on education funding, is nothing more than a defensive, envious response from a government running out of vision and ideas.
Let us be clear: what Shafie has offered is not a recycled script — it is a continuation of the reformist vision he began as Chief Minister, abruptly cut short by political betrayal and frog-jumping, not electoral rejection.
Fact Check: Warisan’s Track Record in Education
Contrary to Nizam’s baseless claim that no policies were implemented under Warisan to support Sabahans in education, here is what actually happened between 2018 and 2020:
Warisan established the Ministry of Education and Innovation — the first of its kind in Sabah — with a clear mandate to uplift educational outcomes and future-proof young Sabahans.
Sabah Education Fund (Dana Pendidikan Negeri Sabah) was introduced to support tertiary students, especially from rural areas.
Thousands of native land titles were issued during Warisan's tenure — giving families security and freeing up household resources, including for education.
Health and education infrastructure projects were initiated across multiple districts, some of which were halted or delayed under GRS.
That Nizam chooses to ignore these facts is not an oversight — it is a deliberate distortion of history.
“Not Populist, Just Irrelevant” — GRS Has No Vision
Nizam claims GRS avoids populism — but the truth is, they avoid progress.
What has GRS done in five years in power besides:
Awarding timber concessions to cronies?
Bungling the RM3.3 billion water scandal?
Involving themselves in the mineral exploration scandal involving Kuala Lumpur-linked elites?
If GRS truly cared about education, they wouldn’t spend public funds enriching the politically connected while students in Pensiangan, Nabawan and Beluran still walk hours to get to rundown schools with no internet.
On PTPTN and Yayasan Sabah Loans: The Issue Is Not Populism — It’s Justice
Warisan’s call to abolish burdensome student debts — including PTPTN and Yayasan Sabah loans — is rooted in the principle of equitable access to education. Many students from poor families are forced to abandon their dreams due to financial constraints.
Is it “populist” to fight for free education — or is it just the right thing to do?
The real question is: Why has GRS refused to reform these unjust systems for five years? Why do they treat student debt as a revenue stream, while billion-ringgit GLC scandals go unpunished?
Sabahans Are Waking Up — Nizam’s Fear Is Justified
Nizam warns young voters not to fall for “populist” promises. But in truth, he is afraid — because youths today are informed, empowered, and tired of being taken for granted by politicians who only appear during election season.
It is laughable to accuse Shafie of only making promises during elections — when GRS leaders are clinging to PH and BN in a last-ditch attempt to survive PRN17. That is the real betrayal of public trust.
Warisan’s Education Agenda Is Clear and Credible
Debt relief is not a fantasy — it is achievable with fiscal prioritisation and political will.
Full scholarships are not unrealistic — Sarawak does it. Why can’t Sabah under Warisan?
Investing in education is not populist — it is patriotic.
Let Nizam and GRS make noise all they want. While they insult Sabahans’ intelligence, Warisan will continue presenting real policies, grounded in fairness and bold vision — not slogans recycled to protect corrupt elites.
Daniel John Jambun is President of
Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS)#~Borneo Herald™
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