Kota Kinabalu: Caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor did what he had to do to stop the cycle of greedy parties especially outsiders taking Sabah’s resources but leave Sabahans behind.
Former Senator Datuk John Ambrose, in referring to recent revelations surrounding the mining scandal, said Hajiji had shown that he puts Sabah and Sabahans first.
“He showed unwavering courage in protecting Sabah’s natural resources and preventing outsiders from exploiting the State for personal gain.
“He reminds us that Sabah is our home and we must protect it. And did exactly that. This is the kind of leader Sabah needs, not politicians who always play politics. We need a true protector and for those who know him well, they’ll tell you the kind of man he is,” said John to Daily Express here on Monday.
He said the recent revelations surrounding the mining scandal exposed not only the greed of certain individuals but also the integrity of Hajiji’s leadership in the face of immense political and economic pressure.
“It takes real courage to say ‘no’ when powerful people are trying to twist your arm.”“Hajiji’s decision to revoke the licences wasn’t just about stopping a scandal, it was about defending Sabah’s dignity and the people’s future,” John said.
He said while the scandal could have spiralled into a full-blown political crisis, Hajiji’s firm and measured response ensured that the state remained stable and that public confidence in the government was preserved.
“When others would have chosen the easy path of compromise, Hajiji chose integrity. He faced threats and immense pressure, yet he refused to let Sabah’s wealth fall into the wrong hands,” he added.
He said Hajiji’s leadership should be viewed not through a political lens but through his long-standing commitment to safeguarding the interests of ordinary Sabahans, particularly in ensuring that the state’s natural resources benefit the people, not outsiders or political elites.
“Sabah has seen too many instances where our resources were taken and our people were left behind. Hajiji understood that cycle had to stop. By cancelling those questionable licences, he put the people first,” he said.
John also hit out at the opposition, saying some quarters were clearly attempting to exploit the mining scandal for political mileage by trying to portray Hajiji and the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government as corrupt.
“The opposition surely wants to exploit this issue and twist the narrative to make Hajiji and GRS look corrupt. But the people of Sabah are wiser now for they can see who is genuinely fighting for them and who is just playing politics,” he said.
He said the caretaker Chief Minister’s actions demonstrated a rare kind of leadership, one willing to sacrifice political comfort for the sake of principle and the people’s trust.
“Hajiji did all he could, and he did it swiftly. If not for his decision, Sabah could have lost control over vast areas of land and resources. People should understand that he was fighting for them behind the scenes,” he said.
John called on all Sabah leaders, regardless of political affiliation, to support the Hajiji’s ongoing reforms and commitment to transparency.
“Good governance requires difficult decisions. Hajiji has proven that he is willing to make them even at great personal cost in order to protect Sabah. The people can judge for themselves who is sincere and who is not,” he said.