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By Mihar Dias December 2025
When a new chief minister walks into office, Malaysians instinctively brace themselves for one of two familiar declarations:
• “We will crack down on corruption,” or
• “We will revamp the GLCs.”
Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor chose Door Number Two – and did so with great flourish. His first major announcement upon settling into the Chief Minister’s chair is a full-scale overhaul of Sabah’s government-linked companies. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/08/hajiji-sabah-to-get-glc-shake-up
New chairpersons, new board members, new buzzwords about corporate governance, and of course, the evergreen promise that this is all “for the people.”
Forgive the rakyat for struggling to contain their yawns. We have seen more GLC revamps in the past.
A Revamp by Any Other Name
Hajiji says the shake-up is driven by “administrative needs,” because, presumably, the old directors had forgotten the noble art of attending meetings and signing papers.
The revamp will reportedly strengthen accountability and help Sabah achieve its Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 vision – which hardly anyone can describe without Googling. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/08/hajiji-sabah-to-get-glc-shake-up
Of course, the previous leadership is thanked politely for its contributions (though clearly not enough to be kept around). This is the Malaysian way: we praise you while quietly escorting you out through the back door.
The Unspoken Truth of Every GLC Overhaul
Everyone knows the real implications, even if no one says it out loud.
A GLC revamp is political spring-cleaning. It’s the moment when a new government swaps out the last administration’s loyalists and inserts its own. The language is always the same:
“Strengthening governance”
“Enhancing accountability”
“Driving transformation”
Translation:
“Time to put our people in charge.”
If the previous board members were truly performing at world-class levels, we’d be seeing quarterly surpluses and glowing annual reports instead of yet another “revamp.”
In Sabah’s case, many GLCs have long been treated less like economic engines and more like employment agencies with fancy letterheads.
Sabah’s Chronic GLC Problem
Sabah’s GLCs have historically juggled three burdensome expectations:
• Make money.
• Don’t lose money.
• Employ everyone’s cousin.
No wonder they struggle.
What Hajiji is trying to do – at least on paper – is admirable. He wants competent managers. He wants accountability. He wants the GLCs to stop being financial black holes that swallow state funds and produce little more than glossy brochures.
But Malaysians have one simple question: will this actually happen, or is it another rebranding exercise where only the names on the office doors change?
The Silent Political Implications
Let’s not pretend this isn’t also about power consolidation.
A new Chief Minister must demonstrate authority. Taking control of GLCs – the state’s biggest assets – is an efficient way to signal that the new boss is indeed the boss.
GLCs control land, investment portfolios, infrastructure contracts, and cash flows. Whoever controls them controls the arteries of Sabah’s political economy.
By revamping chairpersons and boards, Hajiji is effectively resetting the chessboard.
What the Rakyat Should Actually Worry About
A revamp is only as good as the people appointed.
If the new faces are competent professionals with experience, vision, and independence – wonderful. Sabah may yet see its GLCs turn into genuine growth engines.
But if the new faces are… how shall we put this gently… loyal party members whose main qualification is being “available,” then we’ve merely exchanged one set of passengers for another. And taxpayers will continue footing the bill for underperforming entities masquerading as development catalysts.
A Hopeful Ending (Because Malaysians Deserve One)
Let’s give Hajiji the benefit of the doubt – cautiously. If he truly wants Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 to be more than a slogan, the GLC overhaul must be ruthless, not cosmetic. It must cut political interference, not rearrange it. It must elevate professionals, not reward camp followers.
Sabah has immense potential – resources, talent, and geography all working in its favour. What drags it down is not a lack of opportunity, but a lack of discipline in managing opportunity.
Hajiji has started with a bold move. Now we wait to see whether Sabah gets a real transformation…
or just a new set of glossy name cards paid for by the same old taxpayers.
Mihar Dias (mihardias@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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