Better times ahead for Sabah, vows Najib
Published on: Thursday, September 17, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah and its people can expect to enjoy more and continuous development that will be at par with the peninsula under the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak made this pledge in his speech at the national level celebration of Malaysia Day at Padang Merdeka, Wednesday night.He guaranteed that Sabah and the people's needs, aspirations and interests would be defended and met following existing and very close ties between the State and Federal governments which is the key and secret of success for Sabah to continue enjoying development.
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"Why Sabah people support BN? Because for the past 52 years, the people of Sabah had made a right decision that their future and destiny would be guaranteed when Sabah gained independence under the federation that led to the formation of Malaysia in 1963. And for the past 52 years, the BN government had and has continued bringing many changes to Sabah where those people who are poor are now rich and those who have yet to be rich will have the opportunity to elevate their living standard."In the past Sabah had no electricity but now the people get to enjoy power supply and if there were power outages, the government will further improve the supply to be enjoyed by all," he said, adding that the Government has built schools, roads, houses in the State and recently, launched the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), as among the proofs of development and more to come.He also announced implementation of Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah and Sarawak that will be built as a world class highway and at par with the North-South Expressway in the peninsula.Najib said the billions of Ringgit project would connect major cities in both states that will also pass through Brunei Darussalam and provide better roads for motorists to travel in both states.
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"Sabah is a state that we see has huge potentials to be developed…and tell the people of Sabah that the Federal Government will keep on listening to the voice of the people and giving priority to what they need and aspire."Just last week, I approved a suggestion by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan on a structure of handling projects and approved a fund of RM20 billion for projects that will ensure contractors and consultants from Sabah be awarded with the contracts.
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"This would also benefit the younger people in Sabah as ample job opportunities would be provided and gaining valuable working experiences as well as generating high income for Sabah," he said.Najib said the Federal government will assure more opportunities to be provided for Sabah's development that will close socio-economic gap between the State and the peninsula.Later at the event, Najib relived the moment when he signed the commemorative agreement together with the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman ad Sarawak represented by its State Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.Also present were Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Sr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his consort Toh Puan Norlidah Tan Sri R.M.Jasni, National Chief Judge Tun Ariffin bin Zakaria, Speaker of Dewan Rakyat Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, organiser of the celebration cum Minister of Communication and Multimedia Senator Datuk Salleh Said Keruak, co-organiser of the celebration cum Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun and other senior officials.Meanwhile, Padang Merdeka and its surrounding areas were a river of red as tens of thousands of people in red shirts converged to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of Malaysia Day.The joyful occasion which was broadcast live on national television saw merrymakers from all over the State with buses ferrying them in by 2pm.Roads adjacent to the Padang Merdeka was closed to the traffic to make way for the celebration as early as 4pm.Revelers cheered the loudest as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor entered the field at around 8.15pm.The highlight of the event was the signing of a book commemorating the event by the Prime Minister, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohammad Asfia Awang Nassar representing Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.For John Ansal, 28, it was a wonderful experience to come and celebrate the day with other Sabahans from all over the State."I am glad that we do not have racism here and everything is about patriotism. As a Sabahan, I hope the Prime Minister will pledge to give Sabah what is rightfully ours such as our special rights under the Constitution," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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