By Dato Petinggi Atama Katama, MOPOT-IPMSDL
KOTA KINABALU: In the unfolding political drama of Sabah, the power struggle is far deeper and more sinister than what meets the eye. The battle is not merely about political office or governance; it is a high-stakes fight against the entrenched power of the bourgeoisie and their predatory comprador allies who seek to control and exploit the state’s valuable resources.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s administration stands at the centre of this storm, grappling not only with political opposition but with the economic and coercive might of multinational mining cartels determined to seize control.
How Elites Cling to Power
The political and economic elite, entrenched in Malaysia’s history, have long employed systemic mechanisms to secure power. This involves manipulation of political coalitions, strategic bribery, and the co-opting of public institutions to maintain their economic dominance. Sabah, with its rich natural resources, has become the latest battleground where these elites exert their influence through subterfuge and coercion.
The video scandal that recently erupted—where assemblymen were implicated in a bribery scheme—should be seen as part of this larger strategy. It is crucial to understand that this exposé, while framed as an anti-corruption initiative, is a smokescreen. The “whistleblower” at the centre of this controversy, who is also a bribe-giver, is allegedly acting not out of a principled stance against corruption but as part of a calculated move to destabilise CM Hajiji’s government. The real intent? To install a puppet regime that will renew mining licenses and grant carte blanche access to Sabah’s natural wealth.
The Predatory Drive for Resource Plunder
Behind the scenes of this scandal lies a network of predatory corporate elites—actors within the local economic and political spheres aligned with powerful multinational corporations. These forces are well-versed in using political leverage to control local administrations, effectively turning them into conduits for resource extraction. By undermining the current GRS-led government, they aim to replace it with a compliant regime that will prioritise the interests of mining conglomerates over the welfare of Sabah’s citizens.
Mining cartels have historically played a significant role in influencing regime changes globally, and Sabah faces this very threat today.
The tactics are consistent: destabilise a government through a mix of scandals and economic pressures, support a more “cooperative” leadership, and reap the benefits of unfettered access to resources. Examples abound—from the downfall of resource-rich nations in South America where multinational mining interests fuelled political upheavals to African states where extractive industries have incited conflicts, exacerbated poverty, and left environmental devastation in their wake.
The Neoliberal Playbook: Control and Extract
The current situation in Sabah is emblematic of the neoliberal agenda, driven by multinational and transnational corporations that prioritise profit over people. Neoliberal imperialism thrives in weakened states, where public administrations are easily swayed or overthrown to serve private interests. This playbook has been used repeatedly to subjugate developing regions under the guise of economic development while syphoning off their resources. The plundering of minerals, oil, and other natural wealth is often accompanied by severe environmental degradation, community displacement, and the exacerbation of climate change—issues that Sabah could face should these mining cartels prevail.
The mining cartel’s current strategy involves painting CM Hajiji’s administration as corrupt and incapable. Yet, it is vital to distinguish between the noise of political scandals and the reality of survival. The Chief Minister, under immense pressure from both internal and external forces, must navigate a landscape where refusing to cooperate with powerful economic interests makes him a target for destabilization. The moves against him are not solely about anti-corruption; they are part of a broader effort to dismantle his government and install one that will serve corporate interests without resistance.
Lessons from Other Nations
Sabah’s citizens should heed the lessons from other countries where governments have fallen to similar schemes. In Peru and Bolivia, mining giants exerted enormous influence over political processes, leading to leadership changes that ultimately favoured corporate profits over environmental sustainability and local welfare. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, vast mineral wealth has fuelled decades of conflict, propped up by multinational corporations exploiting weak governance structures.
The fate of Sabah could mirror these examples if the public does not act. The installation of a puppet government would not only reinforce corporate control but potentially devastate local ecosystems, displace communities, and erode the rights and autonomy of Sabahans. Once entrenched, such power is difficult to dislodge, as it finds protection within legal frameworks and international trade agreements that prioritise investment rights over human rights.
A Call to Action
The people of Sabah must confront this reality head-on. The fight against these powerful cartels and their political collaborators requires an informed, united citizenry prepared to challenge neoliberal imperialism. Defending the GRS government under CM Hajiji, while not without flaws, is crucial at this juncture. The alternative is a regime beholden to mining interests, promising economic “progress” but delivering only exploitation and environmental collapse.
Protecting Sabah means recognising that Warisan, UMNO, or PH may not offer better governance in this regard. The citizens’ best defence is vigilance, advocacy for transparency, and the push for policies that prioritise long-term welfare over short-term economic gains.
The Cost of Inaction
Failing to resist these forces risks placing Sabah in the hands of an extractive industry notorious for causing climate crises, conflicts, and regime changes. The struggle for power, while painted in the colours of corruption, is deeply rooted in the fight for resource control—a battle in which the stakes are nothing less than Sabah’s future.
To protect the people, the land, and the heritage of Sabah, it is imperative to challenge the influence of mining cartels and defend the leaders who, despite the pressures, strive to act in the public interest. The future of Sabah depends on it.
