SABAR

Sabah civic group SABAR has applauded Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s new push to overhaul Government-Linked Companies with regular performance reporting and tougher oversight. A move aimed at boosting transparency and accountability that many locals have been calling for.

Calling it a meaningful step for Sabahans, SABAR welcomes Hajiji’s push for stronger oversight and performance reporting in government-linked companies, promising closer collaboration to turn reform ideas into real impact.

After the recent election win, SABAR says it will continue to work with Hajiji’s administration to champion public interests, from education and health to Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

With forums, runs and tributes planned for 31 August, this year’s Hari Sabah, themed “Untukmu Sabah, Tanah Airku”, highlights Sabah’s history, patriotism and the role of youth in shaping the state’s future.

In a powerful display of grassroots engagement, over 300 Sabah stakeholders helped launch a 60-page “Voices to Action” report outlining 117 public demands spanning 21 key policy areas to guide politicians and shape the state’s future.

Sabah’s Attorney-General warns that loss-making government-linked companies have become financial “sinkholes” draining state resources, and new oversight measures are being rolled out to tighten accountability and stop costly deals.

As Sabah debates whether to build a new airport or simply grow Kota Kinabalu International Airport, an expert told a public forum that the repeated starts and stops in planning reflect deeper problems in long-term project certainty and infrastructure strategy.

In a recent podcast forum, planners warned that without proper zoning and implementation excellence, Sabah’s development will continue to be piecemeal and inefficient, even though the frameworks exist in theory.

With comparisons to Sarawak’s education successes, this commentary calls for Sabah to reclaim educational autonomy through a dedicated state ministry and fresh policy direction to equip students for future challenges.

Healthcare advocates say Sabah urgently needs more clinics and hospitals, especially in rural districts, to reduce travel times and ensure basic medical care is accessible for all communities.