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Borneo Herald
1.00PM MYT, 19-11-2025
By Edna Jessica Majimbun
KOTA KINABALU : GRS leaders, particularly Datuk Masidi Manjun, continue to claim that “there is nothing to save” in Sabah and that the state is performing much better today. This narrative is not only misleading — it is dangerous because it hides the structural weaknesses, failures, and scandals that continue to weaken Sabah.
Sabahans deserve honesty, not political propaganda.
Warisan’s “Save Sabah” mission is based on facts, comparisons, and constitutional realities — not empty slogans.
1. Sabah’s RM8.6 Billion Reserves Are Not an Achievement — They Expose GRS’ Underperformance
Masidi boasts of Sabah’s RM8.6 billion reserves, calling it proof that Sabah is “better off.”
But here is the real comparison:
Sarawak reserves: RM45 BILLION
Sabah reserves: RM8.6 BILLION
Both states have:
Oil & gas
Timber
Natural resources
Large landmass
Similar population size
Tourism potential
Hydropower & energy potential
So why is Sarawak five times richer?
Because Sarawak defends its rights, manages its wealth with discipline, and reinvests its natural resource income into the people — not into politics.
2. The 2025 Development Budget Reveals the Truth — Sabah Is Far Behind
Compare the state development budgets:
Sarawak 2025 development expenditure: RM8 BILLION
Sabah 2025 development expenditure: RM1 BILLION
Sarawak can spend eight times more on infrastructure, schools, water projects, rural roads, agriculture, digitalisation, and community uplift.
Sabah — despite similar wealth — receives crumbs.
This is why Warisan says Sabah must be saved.
3. Sarawak Uses Its Natural Resources for the People — Sabah’s Resources Are Used to Buy Frogs
This is the most painful truth.
In Sarawak:
Natural resource revenue is returned to the rakyat through:
Massive development budgets,
Dividend payments,
Public infrastructure,
State-owned enterprises,
Real economic growth.
In Sabah:
Natural resources and mining royalties have instead been abused for political survival — not for rakyat uplift.
The Sabah Mineral Mining (SMM) corruption scandal stands as a clear example where:
state natural resource revenues were siphoned for political purposes,
Used to finance political defections,
Used to buy assemblymen to switch sides,
Used to protect the ruling elites instead of developing Sabah.
While Sarawak uses its natural wealth to build the future,
Sabah — under GRS — has seen its wealth weaponised for backdoor politics.
This is the fundamental difference.
This is why Sabah is poor.
This is why Sabah lags behind.
This is why Sabah MUST be saved from the current culture of political corruption and exploitation of state assets.
4. GRS’ “Better Off Now” Narrative Ignores the Biggest Issue — Sabah’s 40% Constitutional Entitlement
Masidi talks about reserves.
He talks about SMJ Energy.
But he says nothing about:
Sabah’s constitutional right to 40% net revenue — owed every year since 1974.
The High Court ruled that the Federal Government breached the Constitution.
Yet Putrajaya is now appealing.
GRS is silent.
Sabah still receives zero actual payment under the 40% formula.
A state cannot be “better off” when its biggest source of revenue is still denied.
5. SMJ Energy Is Overhyped — It Does Not Change Sabah’s Structural Poverty
Yes, SMJ Energy exists.
But Masidi fails to mention:
SMJ is valued based on asset transfers — not cash flow.
PETRONAS still controls Sabah’s offshore resources.
Sabah’s revenues remain limited to the same old sources.
Meanwhile, Sarawak’s Petros:
Earns billions yearly,
Controls upstream and downstream,
Secures real long-term revenue streams.
GRS should not brag about being decades behind Sarawak.
6. If GRS Is So Capable, Why Is Sabah Still the Poorest State in Malaysia?
Under GRS:
Sabah remains No.1 in poverty.
Rural development remains stagnant.
Water and electricity problems worsen.
Cost of living continues to rise.
Wages remain the lowest in Malaysia.
Development budgets are still the smallest.
What exactly is Sabah “better off” from?
Certainly not better off for the rakyat.
7. What Needs Saving?
Sabah Needs Saving from Leaders Who Fear Putrajaya More Than They Love the People**
Leaders who:
Refuse to enforce constitutional rights,
Prioritise federal political alignment over Sabah’s wealth,
Misuse natural resources for political manoeuvring,
Remain silent while the 40% entitlement is appealed,
Are not leaders who can lift Sabah forward.
Warisan’s commitment is simple:
Save Sabah from weak leadership, corrupt practices, and the political surrender that keeps Sabah poor.
Sabah Deserves Better — Sabah Deserves Courage, Integrity, and Real Development
Warisan stands firm:
Sabah must claim every sen of its constitutional rights.
Sabah’s natural resources must benefit the people — not political elites.
Sabah must stop being five times poorer than Sarawak.
Sabah must break the cycle of political corruption and exploitation.
Sabah must rise with strong, principled leadership.
The question is not whether Sabah needs saving.
The question is:
How much longer must Sabah suffer before we save it from leaders who keep us poor?
Edna Jessica Majimbun is formerly the District Chief for Kota Kinabalu and now is Warisan candidate for N.18 Inanam#~Borneo Herald™
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