SABAH opposition party Warisan says widespread underdevelopment in local districts stems from poor management systems and unchecked influence of ‘little Napoleons’ in public offices.
This, it added, has left many rural communities trapped in a cycle of neglect.”
Warisan secretary-general Datuk Loretto Padua Jr said the findings came from a month-long outreach led by deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking, designed to let villagers voice concerns free from bureaucratic hurdles.
He said 12 community forums drew nearly 1,000 villagers from Ranau, Sipitang, Kimanis, Putatan, Keningau and Beluran.
“Villagers told us they had to wait months, sometimes even years, for basic projects to be delivered by district offices or state agencies.
“What shocked us is that even constituencies represented by full GRS ministers are suffering the same fate. This points to systemic inefficiency rather than lack of political representation,” he said.
Padua noted even grassroots level leaders appointed by the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah administration were facing the same problems and raised the same complaints.
“They told us they are being unfairly blamed by villagers for delays that are beyond their control. These are leaders who genuinely want to serve, but they are forced to carry the burden of a state government that cannot deliver,” he said, adding that their identities were being withheld as many feared reprisals.
Padua said one of the most common complaints was the behaviour of officials, many of them described as “little Napoleons”, who were seen as dismissive of villagers’ welfare and indifferent to local needs.
He added that while official figures show a decline in hardcore poverty, villagers remained unconvinced by their own accounts.
“In reality, their incomes, living standards and surroundings are the same as they were 10 years ago.
"What we see is not development, but dependence, one-off handouts so that communities are not officially labelled as hardcore poor,” said Padua.
Padua said the party findings reflect a lack of serious economic planning under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s GRS government.
Instead of short- and long-term blueprints, Padua claimed, the administration has normalised cash aid as a substitute for real change.
Toward this end, Padua said Warisan will propose structural reforms in local government procedures and establish an ombudsmen office to keep check for abuse of power and efficiency at that level.
He said Warisan will continue with the outreach initiative if returned to power, this time as a permanent feedback mechanism for rural residents to hold the party’s own assemblymen accountable. - September 9, 2025
