Kota Kinabalu: Sabah reiterated its support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the support and confidence shown by Anwar to him during the state’s political crisis early last year, made it possible for him to not only stay on as Chief Minister but continue to carry out policies.
He also thanked political allies, namely Pakatan Harapan, adding that the political dynamics changed following the crisis where certain state assemblymen tried to pull out their support for him.
“I appreciate the support from Pakatan following the crisis. As CM and chairman of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, we’ll stand strong behind the PM,” Hajiji said at the Himpunan Perdana Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) here on Sunday (Aug 4).
He said Anwar had brought about many changes for the better and he is confident that matters relating to the people’s needs and voices including the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) would be fulfilled accordingly.
For Sabah, it will continue to find ways to solve hardcore poverty and address poverty issues in the state, he added.
Hajiji said the state was also continuously searching for new and alternative economic sources such as the blue economy which focuses on sea related revenues to boost income for the people.
Earlier in the event, Sabah PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud stated how the party is working hard to strengthen unity amongst party members as well as the community.
He said it is part of the party agenda to foster and preserve peace, harmony and prosperity in Sabah, and issues that could break this unity including race and religion should be avoided.
Leaders from various parties including Pakatan Harapan, Umno and GRS attended the event.
He said, the State Government continues to move forward with emphasis on several important sectors especially agricultural, industrial and tourism found in the SMJ Direction.
“With the support of the state cabinet, all plans and policies can be implemented, in accordance with the SMJ Direction Policy which is the basis for the pattern of progress and the development of the state of Sabah,” he said.
Hajiji said investments topped RM12 billion over the past two years with thousands of job opportunities can be offered to Sabahans at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) and Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), requiring the State Government to find and identify a new site as more local and foreign investors show interest.
Hajiji said Sabah entered into a strategic partnership with Petronas with the signing of a Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) which provides many opportunities and benefits for Sabah, such as greater participation in oil and gas exploration joint venture in Sabah.
On extreme poverty, he said the State Government determined to address the issue thoroughly, through an immediate approach to offer employment for the concerned group which involves the participation of several agencies.
“This proactive measure has succeeded in reducing the number of extreme poor in Sabah to only 1,147 Heads of Household as of July.
“The State Government is exploring the potential of the Blue Economy which is the exploration of marine treasures as a new source of economy and other products industry that can be produced from it.
“Sabah which is surrounded by the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea and the Celebes Sea, holds high potential for the exploration and development of the Blue Economy.
“Later in October, the State Government will organise an international seminar “The Blue Economy” which is expected to be launched by the PM,” he said.
