By social activist Remy Majangkim
KOTA KINABALU: The golden era of Sabah occurred during the timber boom from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s, bringing prosperity to every aspect of life.
This was done during the Berjaya and Parti Bersatu Sabah administrations. Historically, things began to decline after UMNO entered the State of Sabah from 1994 to 2018, a period of 24 years.
In the 2018 state election, the people of Sabah, against all odds, broke the common convention by defeating the long-standing UMNO/BN coalition, allowing Warisan to form a new government.
Then it was short-lived due to the betrayal mandate given by the people; ultimately, Warisan had no recourse but to dissolve the Dewan Undangan Negeri with a snap election.
Once again, the people entrusted Warisan with the mandate to lead the state government in the 2020 state election.
However, they were again betrayed by their representatives, who chose to defect to another party. This led to the formation of a coalition that we now know as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
The Sabah state election will be held in 2025, as the GRS tenure expires at the end of this year. Sabahan old and new voters will again be called to the polls to elect their representatives in the state government.
A reflection during this tumultuous time between 2020 and 2025, Sabahan endured multiple hardships, including the COVID lockdown, glaring mismanagement of our natural resources, and alleged open corruption practices.
Now a question arises for Warisan: Can they make a comeback like Donald J. Trump, who faced similar treatment during his presidential race, defeating Joe Biden in the recent United States presidential election? Is there hope for Sabah in 2025?
In the recent Chinese New Year gathering in Sandakan, the former Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, with confidence and optimism, believed that we are at the threshold of a thrilling new chapter in our state’s history.
A wave of change is sweeping across Sabah, and we can seize it like never before.
His administration will prioritise addressing critical issues such as clean water supply, infrastructure maintenance, and road connectivity. These are the necessities, ignored entirely by this administration.
He would continue to create more job opportunities in the state by inviting investors to open factories and businesses in the state, which was abruptly delayed.
He would collaborate with institutes of higher learning to open up technical colleges in Sabah, thus reducing the cost of education for Sabahans.
We will revitalise our economy by encouraging local industries and protecting our natural resources. Our administration will vigorously defend Sabah’s interests, ensuring that our state is once again a leader in innovation and development.
The goal is to lead Sabah to new heights of success and prosperity. Sabah will soon be greater, stronger, and more exceptional than ever before.
We must honestly acknowledge the challenges we face. For years, certain elements have extracted power and wealth from our citizens, leaving the foundations of our society weakened. Let us act with integrity and be accountable for our actions.
As we embark on this journey, let us remember that unity is our strength. Together, we will overcome any obstacles and build a future that is bright and promising for all Sabahans. The Golden Age of Sabah begins now.
