Inefficient governance and financial mismanagement are stalling development in Sabah, with delayed infrastructure projects, mounting debts, and unresolved corruption already impacting the people, says Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
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Debating the motion of thanks to the King’s address on Thursday, the Semporna MP said these issues are ongoing problems in Sabah.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. If the money trail is there, if the documents exist, why are we waiting? The people deserve answers,” he said.
Shafie then noted that enforcement has been slow, allowing mismanagement to persist.
The former Sabah chief minister did not explicitly cited any corruption case but can be clearly linked to the ongoing Sabah mining licenses corruption scandal.
Shafie also cited FELDA’s failure to uplift settlers as an instance of inefficiencies of the public agencies.
He cited Felda’s role was to help the poor get out of poverty but instead debt levels of the settlers continue to rise.
“Felda was meant to help the poor, yet their debts keep increasing. If I am wrong, let the authorities investigate. But don’t just investigate—also, act,” he said.
Shafie also raised concerns over Sabah Development Bank (SDB), saying the company may be looking for a fresh bailout from the state government due to its high non-performing loans.
He said the acquisition of the once debt-ridden Sabah International Petroleum from the state bank had also resulted in the government creating a fresh debt following the issuance of its Sukuk Bonds.
“Sabah Development Bank was meant for economic growth, yet it is now burdened with non-performing loans. The government had to raise RM900 million in bonds to cover debts. Now the state government is in debt for this,” he said.
Shafie also questioned why earnings from Semporna’s booming industry do not benefit local communities.
“Semporna is thriving with tourists, but where is the revenue going? We bring in the tourists, yet it is others who profit. We get the rubbish, but not the resources,” he said.
Shafie called on the government to take the King’s call for ethical governance seriously, stressing that institutions must act decisively. – February 6, 2025.
