Pursuing Sabah rights and a unit on religious-racial harmony
Published on: Thursday, April 26, 2018
Championing the Sabah rights and interests in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and setting up a special unit in the Chief Minister's Department to look into issues concerning religion and race topped the list of pledges in the Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah manifesto launched by Sabah BN Chairman-cum-Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, Wednesday.A new location for the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) in view of its rising importance is among the proposals.The 20-Point pledge themed "Tanah Airku Maju" (Our Progressive Land) is as follows:
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- Safeguarding Sabah's rights and interests in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah will make sure any commitments made by the Federal Government to return Sabah rights stipulated in the MA63 and Federal Constitution would be honoured. Claims on recognitions by the "Steering Committee and Technical Committee Devolution of Power" to be implemented immediately.- Fostering close ties between religions and races. This agenda will be institutionalised through the setting up of a Special Unit of Religious Relations and Race under the Chief Minister's Department.
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BN Sabah will uphold a commitment to expand power sharing at all levels of administration.- Affordable homes. BN Sabah will further boost an agenda of poverty eradication until achieving zero poverty and build more affordable homes.
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- Continuous commitment to address issue of illegal immigrants (PATI) in Sabah. BN Sabah will not only continue efforts and measures to deport illegals but will also intensify enforcement through a discipline of movement with "no days without operations". @ A commitment to ensure Sabah borders would not be penetrated by outside intrusions as well as protecting the country's sovereignty via empowering the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) by increasing conducive security assets and manpower.- Create ample and fair distribution of job opportunities to be in line with rapid development in various sectors and will ensure all segments of societies will get fair chances.- Continue with a commitment to have better efficiency of land management in the State. Protecting native customary land and expediting the process of land applications by the people. Since the implementation of Native Land Services (PANTAS) programme and issuance of communal grants in 2011 until 2017, a total of 211,343 acres have been handed to successful applicants benefitting 32,014 household heads. This year, the target of BN Sabah is to resolve land applications involving 42,000 acres.- Intensify commitment to protect the natural environment towards green economy. Aim for Sabah to continue to be a State that has the best forest management in the region.- Reduce the development gap between urban and rural areas through the Sabah Corridor Development (SDC) that covers each district. Implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway development project to enhance the network of land transport that connects all districts in Sabah.- Women's development and Equality of Gender. All segments of women would be safeguarded and the dignity of women would be pushed and boosted to all levels. At this juncture, BN Sabah welcomed Datuk Alexandra Chin, the first Sabahan who created history as the first woman in Malaysia to be the Global President of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in 2015. - Development of Youths and Sport will be the main priority of BN Sabah. A Youth ADUN Programme would be introduced as a platform to convey the voice and aspirations of young generations directly to the State Legislative Assembly. The sport agenda will be empowered and produce more athletes at international level. BN Sabah wants to produce more Rayzam Shahs, the gold medallist of Sea Games 2017.- Enhance human capital development via education to meet current demands. For this, BN Sabah will increase funding to provide more scholarships and education grants to the people and children.- Consolidating Position of Sabah's Finances and Economy. BN Sabah will ensure resources and Sabah's financial management is strengthened, dynamic and sustainable. Creating conducive economic environment by ensuring foreign investments into Sabah continue to increase.- Driving the agriculture sector. Promoting new and efficient technology for development of food industry, agriculture and agro-based industry, as well as enhance security food production and earnings of farmers and producers. Strengthening the growth and competitiveness of agriculture industry.- Boosting the Tourism Industry. Exploring potentials of tourism products especially in rural areas and encouraging participation of industry players and tour operators among the locals. BN Sabah will start an effort to identify a new location for the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) in Sabah.- Intensifying the growth of oil and gas industry. Generating high income to the State's economy and to stimulate the downstream economic growth and local development. Boosting the State's economic growth and involvement of local companies.As a continuation to the 'Halatuju Sabah' agenda, all commitments pertaining to economic developments are currently being carried out aggressively through a Long-term Sabah Strategic Development Plan (Sabah.LEAP 2016 - 2035). The success of all the economic agendas depends in good governance and management.- To establish an integrity government. BN Sabah is committed to fight corruption, enhancing competencies and addressing transparency in the government delivery system. For example, BN Sabah maintained excellent performance in the State's financial management with 'Clean Bill' certificate for 16 consecutive years by the National Auditor-General.- A commitment to recognise the creative industry as a new economic resources for Sabah. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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