PRESS STATEMENT BY BORNEO’S PLIGHT IN MALAYSIA FOUNDATION (BoPiMaFo) ON SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2026
PUTRAJAYA FAILS FOR A DECADE — NOW SABAH IS FORCED TO CLEAN UP THE MESS
Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) condemns in the strongest possible terms the Federal Government’s latest move, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to hand over 83 rural water projects in Sabah after years of delay and failure.
Let us be absolutely clear: This is not decentralisation. This is not reform. This is Putrajaya retreating after failure — and pushing the consequences onto Sabah.
1. TEN YEARS OF FAILURE — NOW CONVENIENTLY HANDED OVER
For nearly a decade, these projects were: fully controlled by the Federal Government; funded through federal allocations; and managed by federal agencies.
And what is the result? Incomplete systems; delayed delivery; rural Sabahans still without reliable access to clean water.
Now, suddenly, Sabah is told to “take over.” This is not cooperation. This is a bailout of federal failure — at Sabah’s expense.
2. PUTRAJAYA WANTS SABAH TO FIX THE PROBLEM — BUT REFUSES TO RETURN SABAH’S RIGHTS
BoPiMaFo notes the most revealing statement of all: The Federal Government has openly declared that this move has nothing to do with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). That single statement exposes the truth.
Putrajaya is willing to: hand over problems; hand over liabilities; and hand over failed projects.
But refuses to: restore constitutional autonomy; honour MA63 commitments; recognise Sabah’s equal status in the Federation.
This is not devolution. This is exploitation.
3. SHIFTING BLAME — NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY
For years, the failure of these projects was a federal failure. Now, with one announcement: Sabah becomes responsible; Sabah becomes accountable; Sabah becomes the political shield.
BoPiMaFo warns: Putrajaya cannot fail for ten years and then walk away when the consequences arrive.
If these projects collapse again: The responsibility remains federal — fully and squarely.
4. RM4 BILLION WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY IS A RECIPE FOR ANOTHER DISASTER
83 projects. Over RM4 billion. A decade of unresolved issues.
And yet—Where is: The audit of past failures? The identification of responsible parties? The public disclosure of project status?
Without accountability, this is not recovery. This is recycling failure under a different manager.
5. THE PATTERN IS CLEAR — SABAH IS ONLY TRUSTED WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT
When it comes to: resources; revenue; and constitutional rights, Sabah is told to wait.
But when it comes to: fixing failed projects, managing federal shortcomings, absorbing public dissatisfaction, Sabah is suddenly “trusted.”
This is not partnership. This is selective federalism.
6. THE REAL ISSUE PUTRAJAYA IS AVOIDING
Let us not be distracted by administrative gestures.
The real issues remain: Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement under the Federal Constitution; Sabah’s rights under MA63; Sabah’s fiscal and administrative autonomy; and decades of systemic governance failure imposed from the centre.
Until these are addressed: Every “handover” is nothing more than damage control.
SABAH IS NOT A CLEAN-UP CREW FOR FEDERAL FAILURE
BoPiMaFo states firmly that Sabah is not: a contractor to fix federal incompetence; a dumping ground for failed policies; and a political buffer to absorb national embarrassment.
Sabah is a founding partner of Malaysia.
And its rights are: not negotiable, not optional, and not subject to federal convenience.
A STRONG MESSAGE TO PUTRAJAYA
You cannot: deny Sabah its constitutional rights; centralise power for decades; mismanage critical infrastructure; and then expect Sabah to quietly fix the consequences.
Sabah is no longer asking. Sabah is demanding accountability.
“If Putrajaya cannot govern Sabah fairly — it has no moral authority to control Sabah at all.”
This press statement is issued by Encik Daniel John Jambun, Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) today, Saturday 18 April 2026.
Daniel John Jambun is the President of the Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo), a Sabah-based NGO focused on defending Sabah's rights under MA63, including oil and gas rights, and ensuring legal compliance for the state's status within Malaysia.
End©Permadu
| By Fauzi Kadir Chief Editor |
Final editing and brought to you by Fauzi Kadir CHIEF EDITOR |
(Semua Hak Cipta Terpelihara)
PUBLISHED UPON APPROVAL BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Visiting Permadu Malaysia is absolutely free and we operate with non-profit making objective. We hope you enjoy and feel happy visiting and reading every presentation from us.
If you have the generosity to support our operations and continuous activities of charity to those who are less fortunate, we would be grateful to accept sincere contributions from any individuals or organisations.
Contact us at permadu@gmail.com for further details and information. No obligation and no commitment.





Comments
Post a Comment