Charting Sabah's growth till 2035
Published on: Friday, April 15, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: A Long Term Strategic Action Plan 2016-2035 is being drawn up by the State Government to prepare a roadmap and vision for Sabah's development. The action plan, which will cover four Malaysia Plans, will outline the strategies and enablers for the development of Sabah and strengthen the fundamental factors of growth necessary to enable Sabah to achieve stronger progress. "I am certain all efforts made by the government so far and the implementation of development plans for this year will ensure that Sabah remains resilient in facing the challenges in 2016," said Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, when opening the fourth term of the 14th State Legislative Assembly here.
ADVERTISEMENT
"This year is a very important year because it is the first year of the implementation of the 11MP and I urge all parties to unite and work hard to ensure that all projects and programmes are carried out completely in order to realise our Vision 2020," he said. Juhar also heaped praise on the State Government stating it had done its best in managing the State's coffers and administration last year.He said although last year was an economically tumultuous year, the State Government had responded well through several initiatives aimed at strengthening its economic bases while at the same time, intensify the implementation of development programmes for the people. Indeed, he said, the State Government will remain committed and redouble its efforts as well as take the necessary measures to strengthen the State's economy in the face of global economic challenges, while at the same time, improve the quality of life of the people in the country.
ADVERTISEMENT
Towards this end, he said, the State Government thanked the continuous support of the Federal Government which had so far approved RM4.9b to implement 555 development programmes and projects under the 1st Rolling Plan of the 11MP.The Pan Borneo Highway is set to change the State's landscape while at the same time help towards the development of the rural areas through infrastructure and utility development, housing facilities, poverty eradication, improved connectivity and ICT as well as enhanced education and health quality, he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Therefore, the State Government thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for his concern in ensuring the interest and wellbeing of the people in Sabah are safeguarded," he said.In terms of security, Juhar welcomed the Government's initiatives in strengthening security and public order, especially in handling terrorist threats and curbing the spread of extremism and militancy in the State. He called upon the people to be cautious of the propaganda of these groups and monitor their family members so they would not be influenced by those who abuse the concept of jihad in the name of religion.He noted that security had been further tightened especially in the east coast with several projects under Esscom and thanked the Federal Government for paying close attention to the security issue in the State.At the same time, Juhar expressed satisfaction over the State Government's efforts to simplify and encourage domestic investment especially in the provision of various funds for local entrepreneurs."Last year was a very challenging year for our tourism industry but I am confident that the industry will be stronger this year. We can already see this through the increase of tourist arrivals in January this year, which is 4.3 per cent higher compared to last year."Tourism receipts have also increased by eight per cent at RM550.7m in January this year compared to RM509.5m last year in January," he said.He believed the number of cruise ship arrivals will also increase and expand this year. Last year, 29 cruise ships docked in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan, bringing in 31,624 passengers compared to 2014 where only 13,261 passengers arrived in 19 cruise ships.This year, the government's main focus will be to boost the development momentum of its tourism, cultural and environment sectors.Various efforts will be made to produce new high-quality tourism services and products as well as improve the quality of existing products and services."For this reason, the State Government will continue to target new markets and plan new marketing strategies to attract more tourists to come to the State," he said.Juhar welcomed the government's continuous effort to protect its natural treasures and the preservation and conservation of nature as well as the gazetting of Tun Mustapha Marine Park in Kudat, Kota Marudu Bay and Pitas.The government, he said, will continue to improve law enforcement and implementation of awareness programmes as well as strengthen collaboration with NGOs to improve the protection of wildlife and the environment in the country."I congratulate the State Government for having successfully managed forest resources effectively and efficiently. As of today, Sabah had about 1.8m hectares of Totally Protected Areas (TPA) or 24 per cent of Sabah's land area, far exceeding the 10 per cent standard set by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)."By 2025, the Government is expecting to achieve a total of 2.2m hectares or 30 per cent of TPA. This year, the government will identify 122,000 hectares to be acknowledged by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and other certification schemes under Rainforest Alliance," he said.Simultaneously, the Government will continue to identify and gazette certain areas as forest reserves in its efforts to preserve the biological diversity for the benefit of the future generations.Juhar said the Government will also explore other potentials from forest resources to be developed as eco-tourism within forest reserves, carbon trading, payment for ecosystem services and others.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
