THE Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Barisan Nasional (GRS-BN) Government is committed to continuing efforts on claiming Sabah’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the State Government would make full use of the understanding and good relationship with the Federal Government in ensuring that Sabah’s demands are met and implemented.
“We believe that issues related to the rights and interests of the state, via the cooperation relationship between the State and Federal Governments over the years, will be able to be addressed through consultation and consensus in the spirit of the Malaysian Family.
“In the Special Council Meeting of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63) which was chaired by the Prime Minister last Sept. 8, I reiterated that Sabah will relentlessly continue to demand 40 per cent of Sabah’s own net revenue collected by the Federal Government, as stipulated in Article 112D of the Federal Constitution,” he said at the 2022 State-level Malaysia Day celebration at Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu, on Sept 16.
The Chief Minister said Sabah has come this far since the historic declaration of Malaysia on 16 September 1963.
“Although there is still a lot of room for improvement in the context of development under the spirit of MA63, Sabah will continue to demand what is due, so that we will also enjoy the results of development as partners to this beloved country.
“Indeed, we want to see the true meaning of the Malaysian Family translated through the context of equality in the effort to develop the country,” said Hajiji.
Accordingly, he said the State Government would continue to step forward to bring more progress and development in the state.
Hajiji said that the state’s development agenda, especially the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan is now on the right track and starting to show results.
This is clear, he said, when Sabah recorded foreign investments amounting to RM9.9 billion.
The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) data for the period from January to September, 2022 placed Sabah as the third largest recipient of foreign investment in Malaysia.
“Therefore, we will continue to be an investor-friendly state and will reduce all obstacles to facilitate investment.
“The Government will maintain this momentum to ensure that Sabah continues to be an attractive destination for investment,” said Hajiji.
According to him, in order to continue to drive Sabah, the State Government which was strengthened through the GRS-BN consensus, launched the Hala Tuju SMJ Development Plan on March 29, last year and was further refined and strengthened through the Aspiration Retrospective Ceremony held on March 29, this year to review the performance and strengthen aspirations.
He said the Hala Tuju SMJ involves three main thrusts which is to boost economic growth through three main focus sectors namely Agriculture, Industry and Tourism; Human Capital and People’s Welbeing; and Infrastructure Network and Green Sustainability which emphasises the quality and level of people’s wellbeing which depends on infrastructure network access and green sustainability.
This plan, he said, cuts across all segments of society in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV) 2030.
Hajiji, who is also the State Finance Minister, said there is still a lot to be done to bring development and progress to the state.
“We will continue to persevere to bridge the gap with the confidence that the efforts taken will definitely bear fruit.
“The Federal Government has accepted all the needs of Sabah through its commitment in the 12th Malaysia Plan to further enhance the development of Sabah,” he said.
According to Hajiji, although this year’s national level Malaysia Day celebration is held in Malacca, Sabah is no exception to celebrating this celebration in a simple but lively way as a pluralistic and prosperous society.
He said Sept 16 is a very historic date for all Malaysians to commemorate the establishment of the Federation which unites the Federation of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak and to appreciate the spirit of independence that is experienced today as a result of the continued spirit of the fighters.
“Let us together defend the peace and unity we achieved until the next generation,” he said, adding the Rukun Negara is the main key to racial harmony and unity in Malaysia, which must be prioritised by the people of this country.
The principles enshrined in Rukun Negara is a “talisman” that sums up the unity of peace and wellbeing, he said.
According to him, the Malaysian Family approach is very relevant in Sabah and Sarawak because since time immemorial the lives of the people in these two states have been based on mutual respect and recognition of diversity and differences in race, religion and culture.
“Let us celebrate Malaysia Day with full of patriotic spirit so that harmony and peace are always preserved in our beloved land and to see Sabah develop more advanced and successful, peaceful and prosperous in Malaysia,” Hajiji said.
Head of State Tun Dr Juhar Mahiruddin and his consort Toh Puan Dr Norlidah R.M Jasni also attended the event.
