Successes won't erase graft scandals, Sabah Umno Youth leader warns Hajiji

Summary

• Sabah Umno Youth leader warns CM Hajiji Noor that achievements won’t erase corruption scandals under his administration.

• Vice-chief Bobby Balang says Sabah’s youth are informed and capable of verifying facts, countering Hajiji’s call to “exercise wisdom” when facing unverified social media claims.

• Balang argues that economic growth doesn’t excuse corruption, pointing out that many Sabahans still face basic problems like unreliable water supply, poor roads, and electricity.

A Sabah Umno Youth leader has cautioned Chief Minister Hajiji Noor that highlighting state achievements alone will not undo the damage caused by corruption scandals under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration.

Sabah Umno Youth vice-chief Bobby Balang, responding to Hajiji’s (above) recent call for Sabahans to “exercise wisdom” when facing unverified claims on social media, stressed that youths today are far from naive.

“Sabah’s youth today are not naive or uninformed. They know how to verify facts and seek credible sources. It’s unfair to suggest public discourse is driven purely by gullibility,” he said after attending an Umno function in Kemabong, Tenom, yesterday.

Balang warned that ignoring corruption issues would have dire economic consequences.

“Sweeping corruption under the carpet will only scare off investors who are cautious about putting their money in a state associated with graft,” he stressed.

“Investors will hesitate to commit to a place where integrity is lacking, no matter how good the economic numbers look,” he added.

False claims spreading

Earlier, Hajiji reportedly said that numerous false claims were circulating on social media ahead of Sabah’s 17th state election, urging the public not to be swayed by unverified information.

Hajiji defended his administration by highlighting the state’s developmental achievements, citing strategic planning in education, tourism, and cooperation with Petronas to secure higher revenues, which have been channelled to financial aid for Sabahan students studying in Peninsular Malaysia.

“The coming state election will be a major challenge but also a golden opportunity for the people to choose a government that is not only sensitive to the needs of the people but one that is also based on local aspirations,” he said.

The GRS chairperson also pointed to strong foreign investment under his watch, including the full occupancy of the Sabah Oil and Gas Industrial Park in Sipitang.

“The latest is a Singapore-based company, which is bringing in RM19.5 billion in total investments over three phases.

“In the first phase alone, the project would create some 8,000 jobs. This is our aspiration, to create jobs for the people of Sabah,” he said.

No excuse for corruption

However, Balang argued that economic growth must not serve as an excuse for corruption, highlighting that many Sabahans continue to struggle with basic issues like unreliable water supply, poor road conditions, and frequent electricity disruptions.

“These are the realities people face every day, and they deserve genuine solutions, not just rhetoric,” he added.

He called for leadership that is committed to the truth, firm action against corruption, and practical measures to address everyday problems.

The exchange between Hajiji and Balang comes on the heels of a youth-led anti-corruption rally in Kota Kinabalu, which questioned the commitment of both the state government and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration to institutional reforms.

Ahead of the 17th Sabah election - which must be held within 60 days after the state assembly’s automatic dissolution in November - BN and Pakatan Harapan have announced a formal pact, while discussions on a potential Harapan-GRS alliance are reportedly ongoing.

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