Kota Kinabalu: Swift action by the Government in handling the Lahad Datu incursion and concerted efforts by all relevant authorities to address issues relating to the incident will help return the confidence of the people, investors and tourists to Sabah.Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin said undoubtedly the incidents in Lahad Datu and Semporna had negative effects on the economy of the State.
But he is confident that the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone) set up in strategic locations would boost Sabah's security apart from returning the confidence of the rakyat as well as investors and tourists.
Hence, he expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its handling of the situation with the swift setting up of Esscom and Esszone.
Delivering the State Government Policy Speech in conjunction with the opening of the first term of the 14th Sabah Legislature on Monday, Juhar said that during the first quarter of this year, Sabah registered 967,183 tourist arrivals, which was about 6.6 per cent more than the corresponding period last year.
"This positive increase shows that the effect from the incursion in Kg Tanduo, Lahad Datu, was only temporary," he said. Part of the strategies taken by the government was to discuss with the foreign envoys on the negative travel advisory issued by their respective countries and as a result Britain and the United States had retracted the advisory for their citizens to come to Sabah, especially tourist destinations in the East Coast, he said.
Towards this end, Juhar said the State Government would continue implementing the promotional and marketing programmes that had been planned for this year including increasing the air route networking to the State.
Following relentless efforts, Sabah now has 139 weekly international flights connecting the State to 15 international destinations.
"Based on the tourism sector's global outlook as well as the current access to Sabah, the State Government remains optimistic that the target of three million arrivals will be achieved in 2013," he said.
On agricultue, Juhar said the State Government will continue to prioritise efforts to boost locally-produced rice as the staple food of the people.
"Therefore, padi cultivation must be given priority even though its production cost is higher than the price of imported rice," he said.
At the same time, Juhar said the State Government would continue to encourage the ruminant industry development in view of the available biomass and food resources as well as Sabah's status as a foot and mouth disease-free state.
"I call upon all those involved in the husbandry industry to continue taking biosecurity and strict preventive measures to prevent exotic and zoonotic patogens and diseases from coming in.
"This is important in order to ensure Sabah's competitive advantage in the commercial husbandry sector in the region," he said.
On another note, Juhar called on the strengthening of the family institution towards creating a society with noble virtues and free from social problems.
"I call for more family programmes and activities involving all sections of the community including religious bodies, NGOs, parents, youths and children.
"The programmes should focus on galvanising family leadership, family institution that holds on to religion teachings, development in the economic aspects, health, social, family laws and consumerism," he said.
In order to create a friendly community in Sabah, Juhar said the State Government would be implementing the Community-based Approach by taking into consideration the government transformation programmes focussing on more active participation from the private sectors, NGOs, and local community.
In this respect, the 3Cs concept - Communication, Cooperation and Coordination - would be implemented in order to achieve the five main strategies outlined in this approach, he said.
Juhar said the State Government would also continue to hold sports development programmes and organise tournaments at the national and international level to further develop sports quality in Sabah and sports tourism.
He was pleased to note with the excellent achievements by the state athletes at the national and international level.
Among them was the success the three Sabah London 2012 paralympians, while in Sukma Pahang last year it marked the first time that Sabah won all four gold in the golf tournament coupled with Sabah Sukma football also emerging as champions.
Adam Nicholas Lindbichler created history by emerging as the first fencing athlete from Sabah winning gold in an international event in the individual sabre category at the inaugural Shenzhen fencing competition.
