By Mariam Mokhtar

It would be easier to climb Mount Kinabalu with one's hands tied behind one's back, than to make sense of Sabah politics, or Malaysian politics, for that matter.

We keep voting for the same underperforming politicians, some of whom are awaiting trial for alleged corruption.

We think nothing about MPs who disrupt the Parliament with their thuggish behavior.

With allegations of money politics making most of us furious, we forget that the majority of the electorate, especially those from the interior, are so poor that a handout of RM50 to vote for a particular candidate is a good incentive for those who normally earn RM300 per month.

Any freebies handed out by a particular candidate are seen to be coming from a politician who cares, and not a bribe, despite the fact that the politician, once elected, will rarely step foot in his constituency for the next four-and-a-half years.

Until we educate the public about corruption and party-jumping, and learn to reject self-serving politicians, nothing will change.

On 29 September, Hajiji Mohd Noor, the Sabah Bersatu chief, was finally sworn-in as the new chief minister by Sabah Governor. There had been intense deliberation and horse-trading over two days by the various component parties of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), a loose coalition comprising Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).

Three other politicians became Hajiji's deputies. They are Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin, STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan, and PBS vice president Joachim Gunsalam.

Bung was given the portfolio of housing and local government, Kitingan was put in charge of the state's agriculture and food industries, whilst Joachim was made Sabah's minister for trade and industry.

Sabah Bersatu deputy chief Masidi Manjun was sworn-in as the state minister of works, and Bersatu's secretary-general Jahid Jahim was put in charge of state rural development.

Everyone thought the state line-up had been finalized, but a petulant Bung was clearly displeased.

A furious Bung had already been forced to compromise and take second place, and not be made chief minister. Bung's party, Umno-Baru, had won the most seats (Umno-Baru won 14, PBS won 11) in the recent election.

We are aware that a rattled Bung is like a bull on heat. When he threatened to call a press conference at his residence, a concerned Hajiji capitulated.

He was probably aware that more dirt could be dished out by an irate Bung about things which are best kept confined to the GRS corner. So, to appease him, Hajiji awarded Bung the works ministry which he had assigned to Masidi.

To pretend there had been no rift, the politicians told the public that there had been a miscommunication; but some members of the rakyat saw the truth.

They saw that the chief minister had given in to Bung, the bully.

This tells us a lot about Hajiji's leadership. He should have made Bung toe the line. A leader cannot have people cause havoc in this manner. Hajiji is seen as weak. Will he be easily manipulated?

A competent leader tells his people to follow his lead. He will assign posts to those whom he sees fit for the role. There must be discipline in the ranks. Clearly, Bung refused to play ball.

A leader cannot be swayed and be forced to cave in when a recalcitrant member decides to throw a temper tantrum.

In future, others who do not get what they want will follow Bung's lead and cause a furor and threaten to speak to reporters in order to force the leader's hand.

We can understand why Bung insists he shall be in charge of the works ministry. We hear allegations that a previous works minister who was of little value in the federal government, profited handsomely from his role.

Closer to home, the recent debacle over Sarawak's poorly made roads, with shoddy workmanship and short cuts in construction, remind us of the corruption in the works ministry.

Bung's tantrums are legendary, but more important is the ridiculous state of affairs regarding the deputy chief minister (DCM) posts.

It is ironic that Sabah has three DCMs whilst in Putrajaya, we can't even decide on one deputy prime minister.

Having three DCMs is a waste of the nation's resources. Sabah may be rich, but most of the money from its natural resources like LPG and petroleum has been diverted to Putrajaya.

Whilst most people are struggling to survive amidst the economic meltdown and uncertainty from the coronavirus pandemic, wouldn't it be judicious to nominate just one DCM instead of maintaining three sets of salaries, official residences, official cars, bodyguards, offices, aides and other perks?

This is wasteful and a drain on resources. Perhaps, the usual remunerations of DCM should be divided into three, which most probably Bung and his peers would reject.

Another important consideration is this. Bung is sexist, racist and is inclined to swear in the Parliament when he is angry. He does not respect the disabled and belittles women when the opportunity arises.

Many Malaysians will think that awarding Bung the post of DCM and the prized portfolio of works ministry is seen as rewarding bad behavior.

Sabahans deserve better, but only they can decide to shake off the yoke and influence of Putrajaya; but it does not look like this will happen soon.

Source:

1. Malay Mail: GRS picks Hajiji as Sabah chief minister candidate

2. MalaysiaKini: Crisis averted as new Sabah CM gives Bung last-minute portfolio swap

3. Malay Mail: Sabah DCM Bung Moktar denies portfolio changed due to wrangling, says just 'miscommunication'

4. Free Malaysia Today: MACC nabs company directors over RM800 mil road project in Sarawak

(Mariam Mokhtar is a Freelance Writer.)