KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal is indulging in the politics of distraction and disruption to cover up the fact that his Administration has not been moving since the power grab on May 12 last year.
Apas Assemblyman Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said one example is about the state of GLCs, that Shafie spoke on almost on a daily basis, to entertain the unsuspecting media.
It’s not possible to move forward if we continue to harp on the past, he said adding that there is a lack of transparency and public accountability on the part of the new Sabah government.
The policy of openness practiced by the ousted Administration has been ditched, he said in a statement released yesterday.
“The Chief Minister is misleading the people by saying a majority of GLCs in Sabah are non performing. This is a sweeping statement that is unfair and demoralizing to the CEOs, management and staff of state GLCs.”
As in any group of companies, GLCs have to take the lean years with the fat, Nizam opined adding that some may not do well, for any number of reasons, but they are held up and supported by the stronger members until they can turn around. This can happen to GLCs anywhere. Not just in Sabah.
The bottom line is that the state GLCs, on a collective basis, are doing well and have always done well given that they have the support of the Sabah government, he said.
“On alleged financial irregularities in Benta Wawasan, if the present administration believes that there were improprieties, then it should launch a full investigation and bring the matter to light.”
He stated that nitpicking and splitting hairs are not the ways to govern a state and it is not the done thing to drop a hint here and there, and make vague insinuations based on half-truths.
“Unless Shafie is more forthcoming, it would be assumed by stakeholders that it’s all much ado over nothing, politics as usual. Those in charge at the state GLCs are tried and tested professionals who have demonstrated the highest level of integrity.”
“This can be seen from the triple AAA rating the ousted Administration was given for seven consecutive years. The previous Sabah government also received a clean bill of health on finances for the last 16 years,” he said.
“In 2017, the state GLCs contributed RM130m in dividends to the Sabah government. That’s besides paying back loans and advances received from the state gov’t. This is a sterling performance.”
“It’s clear the state GLCs have been responsible in managing finances in an open, transparent and accountable manner, all the hallmarks of good management.”
These state GLCs include Sabah Credit Corporation, Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn. Bhd., Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (SEC), Sabah Cement Industries Berhad, Progressive Insurance Bhd. (PIB), Sawit Kinabalu, Suria Capital Holdings Bhd, Saham Sabah Berhad, Borneo Development Corporation (Sabah) Sdn. Bhd., Desa Plus Sdn. Bhd., KKIP Sdn. Bhd,Korporasi Pembangunan Desa, Sabah Economic Development Corporation(SEDCO), Lembaga Pembangunan Perumahan dan Bandar, Tabin Wildlife Holidays Sdn. Bhd. and Perbadanan Baitulmal Negeri Sabah.
“The mark of a competent leadership and government is not by belittling the work of others. Making others look bad is only an attempt to make oneself look good but it does make one more capable,” Nizam said. -pr/BNN
