Roger Chin
KOTA KINABALU: Nominated Assemblyman Datuk Roger Chin said Sabah needs honesty, discipline and courageous leadership to demand excellence in upholding its rights and to reject the steady decline caused by lowered standards.
He said the era of Sabah’s polite silence is over, and the state must be rebuilt not on fear or excuses, but on the conviction that it deserves better, can do better, and must never again accept the bare minimum.
Debating on the Sabah Budget 2026 during the Sabah Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday, Chin said a budget is more than numbers; it is a statement of intent and a serious obligation to the people.
Referring to public reactions to a discussion on Sabah’s entitlements, he said a painful truth had emerged — many Sabahans were unaware they had been denied their rights for decades.
He said prolonged silence over resources and clarity had exacted a heavy cost on Sabahans over time.
According to Chin, Sabah’s problems are rooted in weakened systems rather than natural disasters, citing daily power cuts, water shortages and biased approvals as symptoms of poor governance.
He stressed that Sabah is not poor, but poorly served, and that Sabahans are seeking clarity, fairness and acceptable standards after enduring neglect for too long.
Governance, he said, requires doing what is necessary, not merely what is easy, and half-measures and dysfunction must not be tolerated.
“To secure Sabah’s future, we need a lawful planning system, reliable utilities, government-linked companies focused on the public interest, and a civil service able to speak freely. Lowering standards only damages the future,” he said.
Chin said the Assembly should prioritise fixing existing problems before launching new projects, noting that budgets often emphasise new initiatives while long-neglected issues such as poor roads and inadequate healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, remain unresolved.
He said the public is indifferent to whether shortcomings fall under federal or state jurisdiction, as they only experience the consequences, adding that maintenance should be treated as a matter of respect and necessity.
Chin said the budget must demonstrate a clear commitment to repair first before expansion, and sought clarification on Item S26 involving RM2.2 billion in statutory fund contributions and their intended purposes.
Sabah’s rights, he stressed, are non-negotiable, clearly defined in agreements and must be honoured, warning that a fair federation succeeds while one based on convenience fails its citizens.
He added that Sabah’s future depends on building systems that match the ambitions of its people, noting that young Sabahans are capable but require higher standards to build their future at home.
“This Assembly shapes our leadership culture. To earn the trust of Sabahans, we must be worthy of it. This House must encourage debate and mutual respect,” he said.
“I will not be part of a culture of excuses. I will defend Sabah’s rights and dignity, and Sabahans expect accountability from us,” said Chin.
