When Law Becomes a Fortress: A Follow-Up to “Sabah for Sabahan”

 

When Law Becomes a Fortress: A Follow-Up to “Sabah for Sabahan” LINK

In a recent LinkedIn exchange, lawyer Ronny Cham responded to criticism of his role in the Vistana Heights housing saga with a striking declaration: “What I write is law, what I do is law.”

 

It’s a bold statement—one that demands scrutiny, especially when spoken by someone whose firm has represented a developer accused of delays, defects, and evasive tactics in a decade-long housing dispute affecting local Sabahans.

Law as Shield or Sword?

Cham’s original post urged Sabahans to reject emotional slogans like “Sabah for Sabahan” and instead embrace unity, accountability, and better leadership. He rightly pointed out that poor governance has squandered Sabah’s natural wealth and that federal oversight alone isn’t the problem.

 

But when homeowners in Vistana Heights—Sabahans—faced safety risks, falsified documents, and unfulfilled infrastructure promises, Cham’s firm responded not with collaboration, but with legal barricades. A 2022 letter demanded that homeowners pay for a hotel venue, bring their own lawyer, engineer, architect, and surveyor, and invite government officials—just to discuss repairs. 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.

 

The Hypocrisy Gap

Cham’s rhetoric champions fairness and national unity. But his actions—defending a developer accused of submitting false inspection forms and failing to build mandated safety structures—tell a different story. The retaining wall, signed off in 2018, was never constructed. Homeowners filed complaints with DBKK and the Board of Engineers Malaysia. Litigation is ongoing.

 

So, when Cham says “what I write is law,” one must ask: Is the law being used to serve justice—or to shield those who evade it?

 

A Call for Reflection

This isn’t just about Vistana Heights. It’s about a broader pattern—where legal muscle is used not to resolve, but to exhaust. Where public trust is eroded by the very institutions meant to uphold it.

 

If we’re to reject slogans, let’s also reject selective accountability. Leadership isn’t just about what you say—it’s about what you defend, enable, and allow.

 

Have You Faced Similar Barriers?

I invite readers—especially fellow Sabahans—to share their experiences. Have you encountered legal stonewalling when seeking accountability from developers, firms, or authorities? Your voice matters. Let’s make silence uncomfortable.