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GRS boasts of “record revenue” but fails to deliver real development for Sabahans !
By Daniel John Jambun, 26-8-2025
THE statement by Datuk Dr Roland Chia claiming that Sabah is on a strong economic footing is nothing more than an attempt to deceive the public. The reality is this: despite GRS boasting of “record revenues” and “historic reserves,” Sabah has fallen far behind Sarawak.
In 2025, Sarawak tabled a budget of RM15.8 billion, with RM10.9 billion (69%) allocated for development.
Sabah, meanwhile, tabled only RM6.7 billion, with a mere RM1.3 billion (19%) for development and a staggering 81% consumed by operating expenditure.
This is undeniable proof that GRS has failed. They are merely paying bills, not building Sabah’s future. While Sarawak advances with highways, schools, hospitals, and internet connectivity, Sabahans continue to endure water shortages, blackouts, and the highest poverty rate in Malaysia.
1. Selective Numbers, Distorted Story
Roland accuses Justin Wong of “selective figures,” yet he himself is guilty of the same. He conveniently ignores two facts:
The global Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered the worst economic crisis in decades. Every state in Malaysia — and indeed every country in the world — experienced contraction. To blame Warisan for a -9.1% contraction in 2020 is intellectual dishonesty. Selangor, Penang, Sarawak, and Johor all recorded sharp contractions too.
Warisan’s 2019 GDP of RM85.6 billion (before the pandemic) was Sabah’s highest ever at the time. In other words, Warisan grew Sabah’s economy to record levels before Covid struck.
Fact check: DOSM data shows Malaysia’s national GDP shrank by -5.6% in 2020, the worst since the Asian Financial Crisis. Sabah’s contraction was part of that global crisis, not a Warisan-made failure.
2. Recovery Under GRS: Too Slow, Too Weak
Roland claims “steady recovery” under GRS. But the facts tell a different story:
2021: +1.5%
2022: +3.9%
2023: +1.3%
2024: +1.1%
This is far below the national average growth rates (e.g. Malaysia grew +8.7% in 2022, +3.7% in 2023).
While other states rebounded strongly after the pandemic, Sabah’s recovery has been anaemic, placing us last in Malaysia’s growth rankings for multiple years. That is not success — it is underperformance.
3. Misrepresentation on Rankings (“Top Six”)
Roland downplays Sabah dropping out of Malaysia’s top six economies as “marginal.” This is misleading:
Sabah fell behind Perak, despite having far greater natural resources (oil, gas, palm oil, tourism).
Losing rank means losing competitiveness, investor confidence, and opportunities.
Meanwhile, Sarawak surged ahead with over RM170 billion GDP in 2023, more than double Sabah’s RM84 billion.
“Structural reform” is not an excuse for stagnation while our neighbours accelerate.
4. Warisan’s Pre-Pandemic Performance
Roland cherry-picks growth rates to paint Warisan as “weak.” He ignores the context:
In 2017, Sabah’s 8.1% growth came from a global commodity upswing (palm oil and petroleum prices).
By 2018–2019, global commodity prices weakened, explaining slower growth. Yet Warisan still pushed GDP to its highest ever (RM85.6b in 2019) while achieving record tourism arrivals (4.2 million in 2019) and introducing new revenue streams.
Most importantly, Warisan imposed the 5% sales tax on oil and gas in 2019 — something GRS never fought for but now relies on heavily.
5. Revenue and Reserves: Built on Warisan’s Foundation
Roland boasts of RM7b revenue and RM8.6b reserves under GRS. The truth is:
These revenues exist largely because of the oil & gas sales tax introduced by Warisan. Without it, Sabah’s finances under Hajiji would still be stagnant.
Higher global oil and palm oil prices (2021–2022) also boosted collections — external factors, not GRS policy.
But has this money reached the people? Despite “record reserves,” Sabah remains the poorest state (19.5% poverty rate), with the highest youth unemployment (13.5%).
Warisan used revenues to channel funds into jobs, infrastructure, scholarships, and rural health. GRS, on the other hand, hoards reserves while the rakyat suffer.
6. The Sarawak Comparison: A Mirror of Failure
If Roland wants to boast about “record budgets,” then let us compare with Sarawak:
Sarawak 2025 Budget: RM15.8 billion (Development: RM10.9b, Operating: RM4.9b)
Sabah 2025 Budget: RM6.74 billion (Development: RM1.3b, Operating: RM5.4b)
This means:
Sarawak allocates 69% to development — building highways, bridges, schools, hospitals, and digital infrastructure.
Sabah allocates only 19% to development, with a staggering 81% eaten up by operating expenses.
The contrast is undeniable: while Sarawak invests in the future, Sabah under GRS is trapped in a survival budget — paying bills, not building progress.
Both Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaysia as equal partners under MA63. Yet Sarawak has surged ahead with real fiscal autonomy and vision, while GRS has left Sabah weak, dependent, and left behind.
7. Cronyism and Structural Weakness Remain
Roland praises SMJ reforms, but the people’s lived reality proves otherwise:
Energy and water crises are worse than ever, with rolling blackouts and rationing despite billions “allocated.”
Investor confidence is shaken by opaque deals in mining, timber, and carbon concessions awarded to cronies.
Rural Sabah sees little benefit, while Sarawak uses its oil revenue to build real infrastructure and uplift its people.
8. Conclusion: GRS’ Numbers Are Cosmetic, Warisan’s Record Speaks
Roland’s statement is pure window dressing: cherry-picking numbers, ignoring context, and hiding failures behind cosmetic “reserves.”
The truth is simple:
Warisan built new revenue streams (oil & gas tax) and delivered tangible benefits within 26 months.
GRS inherited Warisan’s foundation but failed to translate record revenues into real development for ordinary Sabahans.
Today, Sabah remains the poorest state despite “historic” revenues — while Sarawak surges ahead with double the GDP and a development budget nearly ten times larger. That is the true legacy of GRS.
Daniel John Jambun is President of
Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS).
Versi Bahasa Malaysia:
Sabah Jatuh Tertinggal Jauh di Belakang Sarawak — Putar Belit Roland Chia Terbongkar
GRS bermegah dengan “rekod hasil” tetapi gagal membawa pembangunan sebenar untuk rakyat Sabah.
KOTA KINABALU: Kenyataan Datuk Dr Roland Chia yang mendakwa ekonomi Sabah berada di landasan kukuh hanyalah cubaan untuk memperdaya rakyat. Hakikatnya, walaupun GRS berbangga dengan “rekod hasil” dan “simpanan bersejarah,” Sabah semakin jauh ketinggalan di belakang Sarawak.
Pada tahun 2025, Sarawak membentangkan bajet sebanyak RM15.8 bilion, dengan RM10.9 bilion (69%) diperuntukkan untuk pembangunan.
Sabah pula hanya membentangkan RM6.7 bilion, dengan sekadar RM1.3 bilion (19%) untuk pembangunan manakala 81% habis untuk perbelanjaan mengurus.
Ini bukti jelas bahawa GRS telah gagal. Mereka hanya membayar bil, bukan membina masa depan Sabah. Sementara Sarawak mara dengan lebuh raya, sekolah, hospital dan rangkaian internet, rakyat Sabah terus menderita kekurangan air, bekalan elektrik terputus, dan kadar kemiskinan tertinggi di Malaysia.
1. Angka Terpilih, Cerita Diputarbelit
Roland menuduh Justin Wong menggunakan “angka terpilih,” sedangkan beliau sendiri bersalah melakukan perkara sama. Dua fakta penting sengaja disembunyikan:
Pandemik Covid-19 tahun 2020 telah mencetuskan krisis ekonomi global paling buruk dalam beberapa dekad. Semua negeri di Malaysia — malah seluruh dunia — mengalami penguncupan. Menyalahkan Warisan kerana penguncupan -9.1% pada 2020 adalah tidak jujur. Selangor, Pulau Pinang, Sarawak dan Johor juga merekodkan kejatuhan mendadak.
KDNK Sabah pada 2019 bernilai RM85.6 bilion (sebelum pandemik), merupakan yang tertinggi dalam sejarah Sabah ketika itu. Dengan kata lain, Warisan telah melonjakkan ekonomi Sabah ke tahap rekod sebelum Covid melanda.
Fakta: Data DOSM menunjukkan KDNK Malaysia susut -5.6% pada 2020, terburuk sejak Krisis Kewangan Asia. Kejatuhan Sabah adalah sebahagian daripada krisis global, bukannya kegagalan Warisan.
2. Pemulihan di Bawah GRS: Terlalu Perlahan, Terlalu Lemah
Roland mendakwa terdapat “pemulihan stabil” di bawah GRS. Namun hakikatnya:
2021: +1.5%
2022: +3.9%
2023: +1.3%
2024: +1.1%
Kadar ini jauh di bawah purata kebangsaan (contohnya Malaysia berkembang +8.7% pada 2022, +3.7% pada 2023).
Sementara negeri lain bangkit semula dengan kukuh selepas pandemik, pemulihan Sabah amat lemah — meletakkan kita di tempat terakhir dalam ranking pertumbuhan Malaysia beberapa tahun berturut-turut. Itu bukan kejayaan, tetapi kegagalan.
3. Salah Tafsir Mengenai Kedudukan “Enam Teratas”
Roland memperkecilkan isu Sabah jatuh daripada kedudukan enam ekonomi teratas Malaysia sebagai “perbezaan kecil.” Ini mengelirukan:
Sabah jatuh di belakang Perak, walaupun mempunyai sumber asli jauh lebih banyak (minyak, gas, kelapa sawit, pelancongan).
Hilang kedudukan bermakna hilang daya saing, keyakinan pelabur, dan peluang.
Sementara itu, Sarawak melonjak dengan KDNK RM170 bilion pada 2023, lebih dua kali ganda daripada Sabah (RM84 bilion).
“Reformasi struktur” bukan alasan untuk kelembapan, sedangkan jiran kita sedang mara ke hadapan.
4. Prestasi Warisan Sebelum Pandemik
Roland memilih angka tertentu untuk menggambarkan Warisan lemah. Konteksnya sengaja diabaikan:
Pada 2017, pertumbuhan 8.1% datang daripada lonjakan harga komoditi global (sawit & petroleum).
Menjelang 2018–2019, harga komoditi global menurun, menjelaskan pertumbuhan perlahan. Namun Warisan tetap mendorong KDNK ke tahap tertinggi pernah dicapai (RM85.6b pada 2019) di samping mencatat rekod pelancong 4.2 juta pada 2019 dan memperkenalkan sumber hasil baharu.
Paling penting, Warisan memperkenalkan cukai jualan 5% ke atas minyak dan gas pada 2019 — sesuatu yang tidak pernah diperjuangkan oleh GRS tetapi kini menjadi tonggak kewangan mereka.
5. Hasil dan Rizab: Dibina Atas Asas Warisan
Roland berbangga dengan hasil RM7b dan rizab RM8.6b di bawah GRS. Realitinya:
Hasil ini wujud kerana cukai jualan minyak & gas yang diperkenalkan oleh Warisan. Tanpanya, kewangan Sabah di bawah Hajiji kekal lesu.
Kenaikan harga minyak & sawit dunia (2021–2022) turut melonjakkan hasil — faktor luaran, bukan dasar GRS.
Tetapi adakah wang ini sampai kepada rakyat? Walaupun ada “simpanan rekod,” Sabah kekal negeri termiskin (19.5% kadar kemiskinan), dengan pengangguran belia tertinggi (13.5%).
Warisan menggunakan hasil untuk mencipta pekerjaan, membina infrastruktur, memberi biasiswa, dan memperkukuh kesihatan luar bandar. GRS pula hanya mengumpul simpanan sementara rakyat terus sengsara.
6. Perbandingan Dengan Sarawak: Cermin Kegagalan
Jika Roland mahu bermegah dengan “bajet rekod,” mari kita bandingkan dengan Sarawak:
Bajet Sarawak 2025: RM15.8 bilion (Pembangunan: RM10.9b, Mengurus: RM4.9b)
Bajet Sabah 2025: RM6.74 bilion (Pembangunan: RM1.3b, Mengurus: RM5.4b)
Ini bermaksud:
Sarawak memperuntukkan 69% untuk pembangunan — membina lebuh raya, jambatan, sekolah, hospital, dan infrastruktur digital.
Sabah hanya memperuntukkan 19% untuk pembangunan, dengan 81% habis untuk mengurus.
Perbezaannya jelas: Sarawak melabur untuk masa depan, Sabah di bawah GRS terperangkap dalam bajet “survival” — hanya membayar bil, bukan membina kemajuan.
Kedua-dua Sabah dan Sarawak menyertai Malaysia sebagai rakan setara di bawah MA63. Namun Sarawak telah melonjak dengan autonomi fiskal sebenar dan visi, sementara GRS membiarkan Sabah lemah, bergantung, dan tertinggal.
7. Kronisme dan Kelemahan Struktural Kekal
Roland memuji kononnya reformasi SMJ, tetapi realiti yang dirasai rakyat menunjukkan sebaliknya:
Krisis tenaga dan air semakin buruk, dengan bekalan terputus dan catuan walaupun berbilion ringgit “diperuntukkan.”
Keyakinan pelabur tergugat dengan projek perlombongan, balak dan konsesi karbon yang dianugerahkan secara tidak telus kepada kroni.
Luar bandar Sabah hampir tidak mendapat manfaat, sedangkan Sarawak menggunakan hasil minyaknya untuk membina infrastruktur sebenar dan mengangkat rakyat.
8. Kesimpulan: Angka GRS Hanya Kosmetik, Rekod Warisan Bercakap Benar
Kenyataan Roland hanyalah hiasan palsu: memilih angka tertentu, menolak konteks, dan menyembunyikan kegagalan di sebalik “simpanan” kosmetik.
Hakikatnya mudah:
Warisan membina sumber hasil baharu (cukai minyak & gas) dan menyalurkan manfaat nyata dalam 26 bulan.
GRS hanya mewarisi asas Warisan tetapi gagal menterjemah hasil rekod menjadi pembangunan untuk rakyat.
Hari ini, Sabah kekal negeri termiskin walaupun dengan “rekod hasil,” sementara Sarawak mara dengan KDNK dua kali ganda dan bajet pembangunan hampir sepuluh kali lebih besar. Itulah legasi sebenar GRS.
Daniel John Jambun ialah Presiden
Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS).#~Borneo Herald™
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