Daily Express's Inside Out: Reflections on Leadership and Accountability in Sabah

 

Datuk John Lo’s article in the Daily Express today continues his tradition of posing questions about Sabah’s development. Having followed his columns for years, I appreciate his knack for highlighting critical issues, yet I’ve noticed he often sidesteps direct questions posed to him. Today, I’ll engage with his questions, offer some answers, and pose a few of my own. 

John Lo’s Questions and Suggested Answers

John Lo asks: Why is Sabah, with its significantly larger budget, light years behind Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, and Johor?

Suggested Answer: Could rampant corruption be a key factor? When contractors are forced to pay substantial kickbacks to secure projects, they’re left with little choice but to cut corners, compromising quality and efficiency. This erodes the state’s ability to translate its budget into meaningful development.

John Lo’s second question: Why is Sabah so inefficient in converting budget into GDP?

Suggested Answer: Sabah’s wealth—its natural resources, cultural heritage, and potential—is undeniable, yet its progress is stunted. Corruption among some leaders, coupled with a lack of accountability, diverts resources from public good to private gain. This inefficiency isn’t just a matter of numbers; it reflects a failure to steward the state’s “talents” wisely.

The Parable of the Talents offers a powerful metaphor for Sabah’s challenges. In the story, a master entrusts his servants with talents (a form of currency) according to their abilities. Two servants invest their talents, doubling their value, and are rewarded with greater responsibility. The third, paralyzed by fear, buries his talent and returns it unchanged, earning rebuke and punishment. In the case of Sabah it is not buried but most of it is pocketed.

Sabah’s leaders are like these servants, entrusted with the state’s vast resources—its budget, natural wealth, and human potential. Some may be investing these “talents” wisely, but others seem to bury them, whether out of fear, incompetence, or self-interest. The parable teaches that stewardship demands courage, initiative, and accountability. When leaders fail to act responsibly—ignoring emails, dodging meetings, or issuing questionable certificates—they squander Sabah’s potential, much like the fearful servant who hid his talent.

Let me pose some direct questions to Datuk John Lo, inspired by my own experiences: 

Why did Edward Lingapo of JKR ignore my emails regarding the sewerage project in Penampang? Why did he consistently vanish when I sought meetings? 

Why did Datuk Pairin Kitingan, a prominent leader, fail to respond to my correspondence? 

Why did Datuk Masidi Manjun remain silent when I raised concerns about the Occupancy Certificate for Vistana Heights, issued based on a fabricated as-built survey? 

Why has Datuk Hajiji, our Chief Minister, not addressed these issues? 

And to the Director General of DBKK and the Mayor: How was the Occupancy Certificate for Vistana Heights issued despite glaring discrepancies in the as-built survey and development plans?

These are not abstract grievances; they reflect the struggles of urban Sabahans seeking accountability from their leaders. When those in power ignore citizens’ plights, progress stalls, and trust erodes.

John Lo’s questions about Sabah’s lag in development are vital, but they demand more than rhetoric—they require answers and action. Sabah is a state of immense potential, yet its “talents” are too often mismanaged. The Parable of the Talents reminds us that those entrusted with much are expected to deliver much. Leaders must move beyond fear or self-interest, investing in transparent governance, robust infrastructure, and genuine public engagement. I challenge Datuk John Lo to not only ask questions but also address those posed to him. Why do some leaders evade accountability? What steps can we take to ensure Sabah’s budget translates into tangible progress? And to Sabah’s leaders: Will you rise to the challenge of stewarding our state’s resources, or will you bury its talents in the ground? Sabah deserves leaders who invest wisely, act courageously, and answer the call of its people. Let’s stop hiding our talents and start building a future worthy of our state’s potential.