By: John Lo
MALAYSIA'S political golden era was when Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Ismail, Tun Razak, Tan Siew Sin, Tun Ismail Ali [former Governor of Bank Negara] were helming the nation.
Though our economy was smaller and lacked today's sophistication, we were equal or better than the likes of South Korea and Taiwan.
Nobody even talked about "back-water" Singapore.
These leaders served the nation with the highest dignity, credibility and trustworthiness.
They were, indeed, the best trustees that Malaysians have ever known. They were respected by the rich and poor Malaysians alike and were held in high regard by foreign leaders!
Never were they been tainted with corruption or conflict of interest.
Such was the quality of their integrity that it was common knowledge then that both Tun Tan and Tun Ismail Ali would log all their journeys in their official cars. Never would they have dreamed of using them for private.
Had their successors continued to practise their prudence, our national life would be much better today. MACC would have no reason to exist!
To put it succinctly, these were leaders For all Malaysians, pure patriots and served the nation above their personal interests.
Over the last 20 years, the scenario has changed for the worse dramatically.
Many political leaders were held in various degrees of contempt, disdain and odium by the educated, urban and middle class Malaysians. At best, they have become subject of unsavoury jokes.
Now that GE13 is near, Sabahans wish to remind politicians from both sides of the political aisle of the Implicit sacred covenant between the elected representatives and the voters. Some integral parts of this covenant are listed below.
Political leaders are expected to be:
[1] Sincere and honest;
[2] Have a mind of their own and not be like the village buffalos with rings in their noses;
[3] They should have the courage, in matters of principle and in the interest of their constituents and Sabah, to speak out on important issues.
There have been too many spineless political leaders who would do anything to protect their positions, "fat bank accounts" and projects - often at the expense of Sabahans' interest.
The mother of all economic problems in Malaysia is the "BIG C" [corruption] which has been responsible for the "well below par" performance of our country. Had there been no corruption, Malaysia will be better off than Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea!
We must insist on all the candidates for GE13 to swear not to indulge in corruption and undertake to wipe out this curse.
Presently there are some political leaders who have been found guilty of corruption by the court but, unashamedly, are clinging on to political offices. We do not want such "ethically bankrupt" candidates anymore.
Genuine and honest candidates would readily volunteer to declare their assets and those who want to be reelected, to declare their assets from before becoming YBs and now.
Their declarations should include the assets of their spouses and in foreign countries.
Then we can see how many "clean" political leaders we have in Sabah. Voters - watch out those who refuse or are afraid to declare.
Surely, you don't want such leaders for GE13.
Leaders in government and opposition have locked horns and indulged in mudsling against each other on the rate of poverty in Sabah.
We want this stopped. So much energy has been wasted and so little results.
Poverty is not going to go away with such unproductive and childish behaviour.
There are so many natural resources in Sabah - it should be quite easy to eradicate poverty if there are more honest and clean political leaders.
All that needs to be done are:
[1] make sure land developments benefit Sabahans first by focusing resources to benefit small landowners.
[2] Enforce without fear or favour on the many trawlers trawling illegally near shore.
They are stealing the catch of our Sabahan near-shore fishermen.
[3] For sustainable long term economic benefits, build and provide more post-harvest facilities so that our farmers and fishermen can fetch better prices for their produce.
[4] To supplement the current efforts, we can identify suitable "high value" and/or food security crops that small farmers can plant.
If anyone is sincere in wanting to help your constituents in this regard, you can seek advice and assistance from Tan Sri Harris Salleh.
He has already done trial plantings of many high value crops - in fact, more than anyone in Malaysia and has even embarked on processing and exporting some of them.
Harris has done it and is willing to share/assist to unlock the agriculture wealth of Sabah for small and medium Sabahan land owners.
I am certain he will be more than willing to render assistance and advice to political leaders who are sincere in wanting to help the rural population.
Many have been collaborating/colluding with non-Sabahan corporations and certain "land grabbers businessmen" to deprive small and defenseless Sabahans of their land. These political leaders are despicable and disgraceful. They have abused the trust of the voters and are responsible for the continuing poverty of this state. We must remind them of their fiduciary duty - they are supposed to endeavour to safe-guard and assist small landholders to develop their land, not to collude with others to rob them.
The new set of political leaders must do two things to speed up economic growth in Sabah:
[1] Reduce the cost of doing business. Unless there is a serious reduction in red tapes and the practice of "under-table money", Sabah cannot hope to be competitive globally.
[2] In addition to aforementioned [1], we must insist that you imbue a drastic improvement in efficiency in our delivery system.
In 2008, the Province of Sichuan was practically destroyed by a big earthquake.
Homes and buildings were destroyed and millions of people were homeless. The economy devastated.
Within 3 years, the whole area was up and running.
In Sabah, a housing project can take up 3 or more years just to get approval. Something must be wrong with our system!
We should be like China but our delivery system pushing us towards the economic anarchy of Nigeria!
The political leaders after GE13 must learn to grow up from the feudal era and start to live in the internet age! You cannot treat assets and financial resources of Sabah as if they belonged to your grandfather.
They belong to all Sabahans. Be transparent and accountable in the way you manage them.
In case you think you can abuse like a feudal lord, ask your children to teach you how to access the Internet. You will be surprised how much the young generation and the educated middle class know what you have been up to! And the low opinion they have for some of you!
So watch out!
As political leaders, you are also public property. Your private and public conduct is subject to scrutiny by voters. No longer do today's generation tolerate political leaders who are corrupt or who think they can misbehave.
Do not daydream that we will be that stupid to accept or support a leader who has been caught with adultery on tape or has been convicted of corruption!
To those "long serving" political leaders - if you have not been able to transform and improve your constituency despite having been a YB for donkey years, refrain from offering yourself for re-election.
Do not think you are indispensible because you are not!
Do not wait to be kicked out. Don't say that you would stand so long as the people need you.
You should stop being delusionary.
In your campaign, please do not talk garbage but talk sense.
Talk about: [1] Real economic issues that will improve our quality of life.
[2] What sort of new and exciting policies you are going to introduce if you win.
[3] How are you going to create quality jobs for Sabahan school leavers and graduates?
Don't keep telling them there are plenty of jobs in the oil palm plantations.
But why Sabahans should be attracted to this sort of job when the Indonesians are now rejecting it by not coming to Sabah.
Good leaders should be able to work with the plantations to structure some schemes sufficiently attractive for Sabahans. Don't condemn them.
[4] How are you going to ensure Sabahans can get a fair share of the oil and gas wealth and stake in this rapidly growing industry? If there are no policies for Sabahans to secure their stakes immediately, it will be too late in 5 years time. The economic nightmare of a repeat of the oil palm industry where Sabahans have been disenfranchised almost totally can be very real. [5] Can you produce more effective or better poverty eradication programmes? If you cannot do all the above and more, don't bother to seek nomination. You are wasting everyone's future!
Would it be too much for Sabahans to ask the political parties for more clean, honest, conscientious, diligent and professional political leaders?
Leaders who can and will devote their energy in making our lives better?
The PM has said that the Government can change for the better which is very encouraging.
If BN can produce more proven responsible and quality leaders in Sabah for GE13, this will be the strongest signal to Sabahans that positive changes will be forthcoming.
As for the opposition, it is hoped they will attract more quality leaders to join their ranks.
I have said it before and will now repeat that the opposition should focus on 3 key issues:
[1] Showcase to us that you have an effective team of quality leaders who can govern the State should you win the GE13.
[2] Your modus operandi on how these political leaders can give Sabahans a better government [in addition to the alternative budget].
Your frequent publications of potholes and tires as covers for manholes are amusing but do not solve our daily and long term problems.
Our challenge to you is to prove you can give us honest leaders, better service and governance.
[3] Prove to us that you have a comprehensive set of economic policies that are better and more effective to uplift the economic well being of all Sabahans. Less painting of bad pictures of the Government, tell us what good you can do for Sabahans.
In short, Sabahans can only hope to have better a quality of life and economic security for the future generations if we have credible and dedicated leaders. No more clowns, and selfish, corrupt leaders and Jaguh Kampungs.
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