Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has contrasted his two-year tenure with his successor’s five-year administration when questioning the state’s progress led under Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor administration.

Speaking in Tenom over the weekend, the Senallang assemblyman said little had changed under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led government.

“I was Chief Minister for two years. What have they done in five?” he asked, citing stalled development, persistent unemployment, and a lack of strategic initiatives.

Job crisis and Sabah’s untapped resources

Shafie pointed to Sabah’s ongoing job crisis, saying many young Sabahans continue to leave the state for better opportunities.

“Where do they go? Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong,” he said. “Every year, 6,000 graduates enter the workforce, but only 1,000 jobs are created. That leaves 5,000 people behind, year after year.”

He also questioned why Sabah, despite its wealth in oil, gas, and timber, continues to struggle with unemployment.

Sabah’s stalled airline ambitions

During his tenure, Shafie pushed for the creation of a regional airline linking Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei to reduce reliance on federal-run carriers.

“I met Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to discuss a Sabah-Brunei-Sarawak airline. Brunei has an airline. Sarawak now has a licence. Sabah has Sabah Air. Why didn’t we move forward?” he said.

The plan, he said, was abandoned after Warisan lost power.

“Sarawak went ahead. Sabah? Nothing,” he said.

Shafie also cited his administration’s RM300 million loan to AirAsia, which he said helped Sabahans secure jobs as pilots, engineers, and cabin crew.

“I told Tony Fernandes, I’ll lend you RM300 million, but you must pay back. If not, I’ll take five planes,” he said. “They repaid over RM200 million, and Sabahans got jobs. But today? Nothing.”

‘No business deals for ministers’

Shafie also took aim at governance, saying his administration maintained strict policies against conflicts of interest.

“I told my ministers, if you want a RM100 million project, send me a letter. I’ll approve it, but at the same time, submit your resignation,” he said.

He insisted that government leaders should not be involved in business dealings, adding that none of his assemblymen were granted timber concessions or land rights during his tenure.

“I was Chief Minister for two years. I didn’t take land in Nabawan. I didn’t take timber. None of my YBs got timber concessions,” he said.

‘We acted, not waited’

Shafie also pointed to his administration’s decision to impose a 5% sales tax on petroleum in 2019, following Sarawak’s lead in securing more revenue from oil and gas.

“We didn’t wait. Sarawak did it, and so did we,” said Shafie, referring to the Sarawak government take over of MasWings and renamed it as AirBorneo. 

Unlike Sarawak, Sabah did not face legal challenges from Petronas over the tax. However, five years later, the state is still waiting for full control over its oil and gas resources.

“We started it. But this government? Nothing,” he said.

Shafie also claimed his administration allocated RM400 million for road maintenance, an increase from RM300 million, and distributed thousands of land grants to rural Sabahans.

“I gave 2,400 land grants in Keningau. In Tambunan, I gave 480. Has Jeffrey (Kitingan) given any since becoming Deputy Chief Minister?” he asked.

With a state election looming, Shafie said voters must decide whether they want progress or continued stagnation.

“This election is not about quick fixes,” he said. “It’s about the future and future generations.” ,– February 18, 2025