Ronny cham and his LinkedIn post on Sabah for Sabahan?

When Rhetoric Meets Reality in a Local Housing Nightmare

In a recent LinkedIn post (Copied below for your convenience) that has sparked thoughtful debate among Sabahans, veteran lawyer Ronny Cham, Founder and Senior Partner of Ronny Cham & Co (established in 1984), passionately critiques the slogan "Sabah for Sabahan" as a "dangerous illusion." Drawing from his decades of experience in Kota Kinabalu, Cham argues that true progress for Sabah lies not in isolation from the Federal Government but in "intelligent partnership, accountability, and integrity in leadership." He warns against divisive rhetoric that severs the "lifeline" of federal support for defense, infrastructure, education, and health—essentials that Sabah lacks the capacity to fully provide on its own.

Disclaimer: To be clear, I'm not here to debate MA63. This post simply contrasts what Cham claims with his actual actions.

Cham emphasizes unity over emotion: "Citizenship... is about loyalty, belonging, and contribution to one’s State and Nation." He laments how poor local governance has squandered Sabah's natural wealth in oil, forests, and minerals, urging Sabahans to reject slogans that weaken national ties. It's a call for wisdom, collaboration, and rejecting "self-imposed isolation"—timely words amid ongoing discussions around the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and state-federal revenue shares.

But as a Sabahan resident reading Cham's words, one can't help but wonder: How do these ideals hold up when applied to the very community he serves? Enter the protracted saga of Vistana Heights, an upscale housing development in Kota Kinabalu that's become a symbol of broken promises and eroded trust. Here, Cham's firm has been at the center of the storm, representing the developer Topwira Corporation Sdn Bhd in disputes brought by homeowners—many of them local Sabahans—who feel isolated and underserved in their own backyards.

The Vistana Heights Debacle: A Timeline of Delays, Defects, and Ongoing Legal Battles

Launched around 2006 as a premium semi-detached housing project in Taman Puncak Vistana, Jalan Bantayan, Vistana Heights promised modern living with stunning views. Instead, buyers have endured over 10 years of headaches: chronic construction delays, structural defects (including safety risks with no construction of a mandated retaining wall, and non-compliant designs), falsified documents for occupancy certificates, and unfulfilled infrastructure commitments.

Homeowners, have pursued complaints and legal action for relief. Key developments include:

Early Complaints: Reports of delays in handover (up to years beyond promised timelines) and emerging defects, leading to formal grievances with authorities like DBKK (Kota Kinabalu City Hall) and the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM). A 2018 development plan highlighted retaining wall specifications, signed off by DBKK officials but was not constructed.

Formal Complaint to BEM: Homeowner filed against engineer Zaidun Leeng (Sabah) Sdn Bhd for submitting an A/RS form to DBKK stating inspection of a non-existent retaining wall.

Ongoing Litigation (2025): A writ of summons was filed against Topwira Corporation Sdn Bhd in October 2025, seeking remedies for defects and liabilities under housing agreements. The case underscores persistent accountability gaps.

 

Throughout these battles, Ronny Cham & Co has appeared as counsel for Topwira Corporation, defending the developer in correspondence and potential suits. The firm's involvement dates back years, including responses to homeowner queries on defects.

The Hypocrisy Angle: Partnership or Stonewalling?

Cham’s post beautifully advocates for "collaboration" over confrontation, yet the Vistana Heights file tells a different story—one of protracted disputes and barriers to amicable resolution. Public records and homeowner accounts reveal a pattern that seems to contradict his public stance:

In late 2022, homeowners sought a simple meeting to discuss repairs and defects. The response from Ronny Cham & Co, on behalf of Topwira Corporation Sdn Bhd, was a "without prejudice" letter dated November 30, 2022. It referenced a prior proposal for a December 22 meeting—but only if buyers arrived with their own lawyer, engineer, architect, and surveyor in tow. Worse, the venue (a paid hotel conference room) would be billed to the homeowners, who were also tasked with inviting local authorities like DBKK and the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. Reject these terms? "Instruct your solicitors to write to our lawyer to deal with the matter in the court of law."

 

This isn't partnership; it's a litigator's checklist designed to intimidate and inflate costs for already burdened families. These demands "block dialogue" and undermine the "fairness and due process" Cham champions elsewhere. 

I, Luqman Michel, have chronicled the saga, questioned the ethics: "Homeowners facing safety risks deserve transparency and accountability, not insurmountable barriers.

"Accountability Evasion: Cham's post blames Sabah's woes on "poor governance within Sabah" and calls for "better leadership at home." Yet, in Vistana, his client has faced accusations of inconsistencies in submitted plans (e.g., retaining walls mandated but not built) and delays in addressing defects beyond liability periods—contributing to the very local mismanagement he decries. I have turned to government departments like Jabatan Tanah dan Ukur for intervention, only to be advised to pursue legal action.

To illustrate the disconnect, consider the following:

Cham's LinkedIn Wisdom (On "Sabah for Sabahan")

Vistana Heights Reality (Under Ronny Cham & Co's Representation)

"True progress comes from collaboration... not divisive slogans."

Vs. Conditional meetings loaded with professional fees and threats of court, turning negotiation into a financial hurdle for locals.

 

"Sabah’s future lies not in isolation, but in intelligent partnership."

Vs. Isolating homeowners from direct talks.

 

"The issue... is the need for better leadership and accountability at home."

Vs. Defending a developer amid complaints of non-compliant designs and defects, without evident push for voluntary fixes in Sabah's housing crisis.

 

"Citizenship is about... contribution to one’s State and Nation."

Vs. Enabling a project that extracts sales revenue from Sabahans (homes bought at ~RM1.5M, now valued RM2.3–2.6M) but skimps on safe delivery—eroding community trust.

 

These aren't cherry-picked; they're drawn from public correspondence, homeowner blogs, and regulatory filings, echoing broader critiques in Sabah's legal community.

A Call for Integrity: Bridging Words and Actions

Ronny Cham's voice carries weight—his firm is a Sabah staple. His dissent in the SLS's MA63 suit against the Federal Government (May 2025) further burnishes his image as a principled advocate for restraint and rule of law. There, he argues against "institutional overreach" and for letting elected bodies lead—noble, indeed.

Yet, in Vistana Heights, the overreach feels personal: Local families, the "loyal Sabahans" Cham extols, are left navigating complaints and courts while developers prioritize defense over dialogue. This isn't just a housing spat; it's a microcosm of the governance failures Cham laments—where federal lifelines exist, but local accountability falters.

Perhaps it's time for Cham to extend his "intelligent partnership" philosophy to his caseload. Homeowners deserve mediation, not billable standoffs. Sabah's Bar Council and housing authorities could mediate, ensuring developers contribute as much as they extract.

As Cham himself says, "Sabah’s strength lies in wisdom, not slogans, in unity, not isolation." Let's hold our leaders—and their lawyers—to that standard, starting right here at home.

What do you think, fellow Sabahans? Share your stories in the comments. True unity begins with honest reflection.

For legal advice, consult a professional—this is commentary, not counsel.

I have copied below the post on LinkedIn by Mr. Ronny Cham.  

 

"Sabah for Sabahan” - A Dangerous Illusion
I have never been involved in politics, but as a citizen and resident of Sabah, I cannot stay silent when it comes to the safety and stability of the State I call home.

Whatever our political leanings, we must recognise that the peace, order, and development we enjoy are made possible first by the Federal Government, and secondly by the State Government.
Under the current administration, I sense a renewed stability in Malaysia’s leadership. Yet, one slogan continues to trouble me : “Sabah for Sabahan.”
It is a slogan that plays on emotion rather than reason, often used by politicians to win over the uninformed and indifferent.
Some groups proudly call themselves the “true Sabahans.” But I must ask — what does that really mean? Many people in Sabah today were born and raised here, though their parents may have come from other parts of Malaysia or even other parts of the world. Are they any less Sabahan than the indigenous people?
Citizenship, after all, is not about race or ancestry. It is about loyalty, belonging, and contribution to one’s State and Nation.
The Federal Government oversees defence, internal security, education, health, and major infrastructure, the very foundations of modern life. Even Sabah’s major roads are built and maintained by the Federal JKR. Sabah has no state health minister.

 

I commented on the LinkedIn post as follows: 

Ronny Cham you said, 'Even Sabah’s major roads are built and maintained by the Federal JKR.'

I agree, but where in the world were you when a Public Listed Company in West Malaysia sued me for defamation in 2013 when I wrote a blog that the sewerage pipelines in and around Penampang were not laid properly?

So when politicians shout “Sabah for Sabahan,” what are they truly offering?
To cut ourselves off from the Federal system is to sever the lifeline that sustains us.
“Sabah for Sabahan” is a dangerous path, it is not empowerment, but self-imposed isolation.
Sabah was once the richest State in Malaysia, blessed with forests, oil, and minerals. Yet, our wealth and State resources have been squandered by poor governance within Sabah.
The issue is not Federal control but it is the need for better leadership and accountability at home.
In Peninsular Malaysia, many have achieved lasting success through sustainable innovation and enterprise, because they are connected to the Federal lifeline that supports growth, investment, and opportunity.

 I made another comment as follows:

You said, 'In Peninsular Malaysia, many have achieved lasting success through sustainable innovation and enterprise, because they are connected to the Federal lifeline that supports growth, investment, and opportunity.'

I have lived here since 1979 and I am not aware of Sabah having disconnected from the Federal Lifeline. Can you please enlighten me on this, please?

In Sabah, too, there are individuals and leaders who have found success for the very same reason: they remained linked to that lifeline, embracing partnership with the Federal Government rather than distancing from it.
This is the path that truly opens doors to progress and stability for our State and people.
Sabah’s future lies not in isolation, but in intelligent partnership with the Federal Government. True progress comes from collaboration, accountability, and integrity in leadership and not divisive slogans.
It is time for Sabahan to reject rhetoric that weakens our unity as Malaysians and isolates us from national growth. I share these thoughts not to argue politics, but because I believe Sabah’s strength lies in wisdom, not slogans, in unity, not isolation.