SMJ Housing is Not a Policy Failure

24 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The controversy surrounding the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Rumah Mesra project should not be misconstrued as a failure of the state government’s policies, said pro-Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) activist Aksyah Haji Nasrah.

He emphasised that the recent detention of a civil servant by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has understandably caused concern among the public, but urged people not to jump to conclusions prematurely.

“This case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for alleged abuse of position or power. However, we must refrain from making hasty judgments against those involved,” he stated in a Facebook post today.

Aksyah acknowledged that public reactions, including those from netizens, are understandable and that such protests reflect genuine worries among Sabahans.

Nevertheless, he stressed that the investigation must be allowed to proceed transparently and fairly, without bias.

He asserted that the Rumah Mesra SMJ initiative, conceived by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, is a noble effort to improve the living standards of the underprivileged.

He added that the project provides free homes to those in need and is a key component of the Sabah Maju Jaya vision, now entering its second phase.

“The Chief Minister’s vision, intention, and purpose behind Rumah Mesra SMJ are commendable. This project is the first of its kind since Sabah’s independence,” he said.

Aksyah, however, reminded that the ongoing investigation should not tarnish the fundamental good intentions of the initiative.

He opined that the governance of the Rumah Mesra SMJ project must be strengthened to ensure its implementation is more organised and reaches the target groups effectively.

He also referred to the recent Sabah State Legislative Assembly election manifesto, which pledged to add ten more houses per area if GRS continued to be given the mandate, following positive public reception of the programme.

At the same time, Aksyah urged all parties not to politicise the issue, which could lead to unfair perceptions of the state government under GRS Plus.

“We do not want the government’s good policies to be politicised with unfair narratives. This is not a policy failure,” he stressed.

He expressed hope that the incident serves as a lesson for all involved in the project’s implementation to uphold integrity.

He expressed his hope that this project continue to achieve its objectives, ensuring Sabahans in need can enjoy better, more comfortable homes.- Anna Vivienne