Sabahans know why is Sabah poor

KOTA KINABALU (July 25): Sabah is poor because its richness and rights have been taken away over a period of six decades, says Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (Sabah Star) deputy president Datuk Kenny Chua.

He stressed that this is not because the territory is governed by local parties.

“The local GRS government and the people of Sabah are in fact inheriting this sad legacy. All Sabahans have realised this now and that’s the number one reason why we want to be governed by local parties.

“Sabahans want to be like our Borneo neighbours, Sarawak, that has been so economically strong and politically stable because it is under the governance of local parties,” he said in a statement.

Chua disagreed with Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Bung Moktar Radin who claimed that Sabah is poor because it is governed by local parties.

“I think it won’t serve our best interest if we pinpoint fingers at anyone because we won’t go anywhere. We, as Sabahans, all know the reasons why Sabah is poor. Even our youths know about this as they have understood our political history.

“Since we all know the reasons, we must now find the solution. That’s why the GRS government, the coalition of local Sabah parties, under the leadership of our Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, are trying their best to make things right.

“Unlike in the past when there was no unity among parties in the government coalition, people can see how united the GRS components are and how they have been fiercely pursuing our rights and what’s owed to us as one united force,” he said.

Chua, who is also the chairman of government-linked company, Sabah Air Aviation, pointed out that proof of the GRS coalition’s effort in pursuit of Sabah’s rights can be seen from the company’s own success in securing large contracts from Petronas and Shell, among others.

“This is part of our fight for our rights to our own natural resources. We’ve won some battles but not yet the war. But the GRS local parties are fighting on to win it. People can compare our performance from the previous state government coalition that was led by a big and powerful Malaya party,” he said.

Chua added that having all local parties to govern Sabah reflects the true aspirations of Sabahans.

“Government is the people. If the people want an all local-party Sabah government, then this is how it should be. Outsiders can come and beg for our votes so they too can form the government. In Sabah, we call it ‘mau cuba try pok sisip’. Well, they’re free to do so. But Sabahans remember what they’ve done. Once bitten, twice shy.

“Everyone knows that we’re a resource rich territory. Yet we’re poor and people know what caused it. When we have control over our resources, reclaimed our rights and paid what’s due to us, Sabah can be a wealthy and prosperous territory just like Sarawak. Investors will also want to do business with us. For all this to happen, Sabah must be ruled by local parties because they will pursue all this without fear or favour of anyone,” he said.