The columnist at a cataract screening for local residents aged 40 and above in Pitas, part of a Rotary community service project held on 20 July 2025. Those diagnosed with cataracts will receive surgery free of charge.
Every year, in conjunction with the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, the state government releases the anticipated list of individuals bestowed with state honours. These honours, ranging from medals of commendation to titles such as Datuk and Datuk Seri, are intended to recognise outstanding service and achievements across the public and private sectors.
Predictably, the list is dominated by senior government officials, high-ranking civil servants, corporate figures and heads of government-linked companies (GLCs). While many of these individuals are undoubtedly deserving, there remains a significant and troubling omission: the countless ordinary citizens and community volunteers who dedicate their time, skills and resources to the betterment of others, often with no expectation of reward or recognition.
This annual ritual, although celebratory, reveals a glaring imbalance in the state’s system of awarding honours. Those who engage in unpaid, grassroots-level service, especially during times of hardship and disaster, are frequently overlooked. These individuals and organisations, particularly volunteer-based civic groups such as Rotary clubs, are vital to the well-being and resilience of Sabah’s communities. Their absence from the state honours list is not only a disservice to them, but also a missed opportunity to promote and inspire a culture of civic responsibility, solidarity and public service.
It is high time the Sabah State Government reconsidered its awards framework to meaningfully include those who serve quietly on the ground, often with considerable personal sacrifice. The recognition of community service volunteers through official state honours would reflect the government’s genuine appreciation for service that comes from the heart, and would send a strong, affirming message to the public that such contributions are not only welcome but essential to the progress of our society.
Community service volunteers are the unsung heroes of Sabah. Their work is often invisible to those outside the affected communities, yet its impact is deeply felt by those they help. In times of natural disasters such as floods, landslides and droughts, it is often these volunteers who are first to respond.
While official emergency services mobilise resources and coordinate large-scale responses, volunteers are already on the ground, helping to evacuate families, distribute food and water and provide emotional support. Their speed and adaptability, grounded in intimate knowledge of local terrain and needs, make them indispensable.
Rotary clubs in Sabah offer a compelling example of sustained, impactful volunteerism. With a long-standing motto of “Service Above Self,” these clubs have mobilised time and again to meet the needs of the underserved and vulnerable. During the monsoon season, when many low-lying districts such as Tenom, Beaufort, Penampang, Keningau, Kota Marudu and Kota Belud face severe flooding, members of Rotary clubs have organised and delivered emergency relief, including dry food, drinking water, blankets, hygiene kits and baby formula, to flood victims, often in partnership with local district offices and other non-governmental organisations.
The pandemic provided yet another example of civic leadership by volunteer groups. When Covid-19 strained Sabah’s healthcare system, Rotary clubs coordinated fundraising drives to purchase oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters and other life-saving medical equipment, which they then donated to rural clinics and hospitals. They also supported vaccination campaigns by providing logistics support, sponsoring educational posters and distributing personal protective equipment to frontline workers. These efforts were driven entirely by volunteers such as business owners, retirees, professionals and youths who stepped up not because they were paid to do so, but because they cared.
Beyond emergency response, these clubs are also deeply involved in long-term, sustainable development. In remote areas where access to clean water remains a challenge, Rotary members have collaborated with engineers and villagers to design and build gravity-fed water systems. In communities without proper sanitation, they have funded and built toilet facilities, handwashing stations and waste management solutions. In rural schools, they have contributed furniture, reading materials and even sponsored solar-powered lighting to ensure children can study after dark. These are not one-off events but parts of ongoing commitments to community upliftment.
Health remains another area of concern where volunteers play a vital role. Rotary clubs in Sabah have regularly partnered with medical professionals to conduct cataract screening and eye surgeries, dental outreach, blood donation campaigns and health awareness programmes in both urban and rural settings.
The beneficiaries are often the elderly, indigenous populations and those without access to affordable healthcare. These initiatives fill critical service gaps and alleviate pressure on public health infrastructure.
Despite their clear and positive impact, such contributions rarely receive public acknowledgement at the state level. This lack of recognition can unintentionally signal that only institutional or political service is valued, while grassroots service is peripheral or optional. It is important to correct this imbalance. While community volunteers are not motivated by accolades, official recognition affirms their efforts and legitimises the idea that one does not need a title, a position or a budget to make a difference.
Recognition also serves a strategic purpose. It has the potential to inspire others, especially young people, to take a more active role in their communities. Publicly honouring those who give back instills pride and encourages a spirit of volunteerism among the general population. Moreover, it redefines success as not merely financial or political advancement, but as the ability to impact lives positively through compassion and commitment.
To ensure that deserving individuals and groups are no longer overlooked in the state honours system, the Sabah State Government could adopt several pragmatic measures. Firstly, it need not introduce entirely new awards; instead, the existing honours framework could be expanded to recognise individuals and organisations that have made significant, verifiable contributions to humanitarian, educational, health or environmental causes through voluntary service.
Secondly, the nomination process should be broadened to allow for community-based recommendations.
Local councils, non-profit organisations and district-level committees should be invited to submit nominations supported by testimonials, project documentation and evidence of impact. This process would ensure a diverse and representative pool of nominees from all corners of the state.
Thirdly, the selection committee should include representatives from civil society and volunteer-based organisations, ensuring transparency, inclusivity and impartiality. The process must reflect the lived realities of those on the ground, and not be limited to the elite or politically connected.
Finally, once recognised, these awardees should be celebrated in a manner befitting their service. Their stories should be highlighted through official publications, state media, school bulletins and community events. By bringing these stories to the forefront, the state can create role models and generate greater awareness of the value of community work.
Furthermore, the state should also consider the merit of recognising entire organisations, in addition to individuals. Community service efforts are, by their very nature, collaborative undertakings. Whether it involves organising a health outreach programme or constructing essential infrastructure in a remote village, the success of such initiatives relies heavily on teamwork and a shared sense of purpose. Honouring the organisation as a whole not only acknowledges the collective effort involved, but also reinforces the principle that community development is a shared responsibility, best achieved through partnership and cooperation.
Sabah’s future depends not only on its economic growth or political stability, but also on its moral and social fabric. That fabric is woven by everyday citizens such as teachers, retirees, businesspeople and youth who offer their hands and hearts to lift others. Their contributions may not always appear in headlines or financial reports, but they build trust, solidarity and resilience in ways that policies alone cannot.
By expanding the state honours system to include volunteers and community leaders, Sabah embraces a more holistic vision of development, one that upholds humility, service and human dignity. It signals a shift towards a society in which success is measured not merely by wealth or status, but by compassion, generosity and the capacity to effect meaningful, lasting and positive change.
As Sabah charts its course into the future, let us ensure that the honours we bestow reflect the full spectrum of contribution, recognising not just those in power, but also those with noble purposes. Let the message be clear: “To all who serve quietly and wholeheartedly, we see you, we honour you and we thank you.”
Footnote
Dr Richard A. Gontusan is a Human Resource Skill Training and Investment Consultant. He has been a Rotarian since 2014 and has been involved in many Rotary’s community service projects. His views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of The Borneo Post.