'Govt concerned about indigenous people'
Published on: Friday, November 16, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the cancellation of communal grants and granting of individual ownership to Sabah natives is solid proof that the Government is very concerned about indigenous people in the State.He said this in response to the allegation by Tambunan Assemblyman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan that programmes by the current Government only prioritise foreigners and non-citizens."This is not true," said Shafie, who is also State Finance Minister, in his winding-up speech.
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He said in addition to the cancellation of communal grants and granting of individual ownership to natives, he will also ask the Lands and Surveys Department and all parties involved to ensure that beneficiaries for that purpose are truly natives."As I always emphasise, the Government today is always open to new ideas that can contribute to the efforts of improving the standard of living of the people and prospering Sabah."Indeed, whatever backgrounds and political beliefs we hold, we all have our own responsibilities and roles in building our beloved Sabah," he said.Shafie said the Tambunan Assemblyman also rejected the 2019 State Budget and proposed "Alternative Budget" with a large sum of RM16.6 billion.
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"I think it (Alternative Budget) is impractical and unreasonable to be implemented and can lead us to a valley of destruction."I say so because the financial source mentioned and listed by him (Dr Jeffrey) is not yet a certainty for us to be able to quote it.
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"For me, the suggestion of the Tambunan Assemblyman is only wishful thinking for now," he said.Shafie said the Budget 2019 outlined five short-term strategies aimed at strengthening and empowering the productive sectors, with the intention of giving emphasis to the industrial sector.He said it has been too long for Sabah to rely on the primary sector with downstream activities still low."Sabah needs to move forward by accelerating structural change from a dependent economy on a major commodity to a high value-added manufacturing and trading economy."This desire should also be supported by a conducive investment environment with appropriate and attractive incentives; efficient and integral government delivery system; human capital development and quality manpower; and meet the needs of the market and industry, " he said.He said while passionate about pursuing economic progress, the Government will never forget the welfare of the people."Although there are voices saying the Budget Year 2019 is 'mediocre,' I think financial planning is inclusive and at the same time highlighting the social responsibility of the Sabah Government today to all levels of the rakyat despite the financial constraints," he said.He said the budget accounted for the poor and low-income groups; special needs such as parents, single mothers, disabled people and orphans; primary school students, religious school students and those who will pursue higher education; youth and women; farmers including rubber smallholders, fishermen and breeders as well as civil servants."The budget also provides great emphasis on the development of quality human capital that includes students and civil servants."In fact, the Government has also introduced aid and funds for businessmen and prospective entrepreneurs, including introducing new incentives to private investors."The Tambunan Assemblyman stated that the target set for the State Revenue Estimate is low because it does not take into account the 40 per cent revenue obtained by the federation from Sabah, import duty and excise duty on petroleum products, export duty on minerals (petroleum), increased petroleum royalty and so on."For information, all sources of revenue raised above are still in negotiations with the Federal Government," said Shafie.He said in ensuring high financial management, he has stressed that we must spend according to the ability to collect all revenue under the rights of the Sabah Government."Making unrealistic predictions or setting high yield targets is not pragmatic and a highly risky approach.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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