Governor outlines list of achievements in 1970
Published on: Friday, January 01, 1971
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His Excellency said, the year 1970 was particularly significant for the great political stability experienced by the Malaysians in Sabah.
He said, “Sabah has continued to make great progress in our development programmes and in some cases the achievements have surpassed the expectations and aspirations of the people”.
The end of 1970 also marked the completion of the First Malaysia Development Plan, His Excellency added.
His Excellency said: “With the prevalence of political stability and security in the nation, our Government in the ‘ Bands of our able leaders, has indeed devoted itself to the upliftment of the living standards of the people.
Vast areas of land continued to be opened up in the State to fulfil the needs of the people and to expand the infrastructure of the economy.
During my visits to various parts of the State during the year, I was gratified to see that numerous schools have been constructed to accommodate the ever increasing number of children who seek modern aids of education while hospitals, clinics, dispensaries etc. have been built in all parts of the State.
The past year also saw the completion of two major roads, namely the East West High-way and the Penampang/Tambunan road which will now enable our people to move their produce from one place to the other without much difficulty.
Other projects which have been designed to give every stratum of society the benefits of our independence have been completed and have begun to bear fruits.
It has also been a good year for the region as a whole. We have seen during the year an increase in the exchange of goodwill visits between Malaysia and Indonesia and other countries in the region.
There have also been an increase in the number of regional co-operation between Malaysia and our neighbours. Closer to Sabah, I am pleased that I have been able to make a visit to our sister State of Sarawak where I was accorded a very warm welcome thereby signifying the closer affinity between our State and Sarawak.
I was particularly happy that we in Sabah have been able to return the hospitality accorded to me by the Government and the people of Sarawak when His Excellency the Governor of Sarawak and Toh Puan Hajjah Rajemah reciprocated with a visit to Sabah in September.
There has also been close consultation between our own Chief Minister, Tun Datu Haji Mustapha bin Datu Harun and the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Dato Abdul Rahman Yaakub. I hope that these visits and consultations will continue during this decade not only between the political leaders but also between civil servants and members of the public because Sabah and Sarawak are inseparable and have common problems as well as aspirations.
All in all we have good reason to he pleased with the events and the achievements of 1970. However, I must ask you all to remember that our tasks and our responsibilities are not ended.
We must continue and maintain the momentum of our development and increase our efforts if we are to join the ranks of the developing nations in a shorter period of time.
I should like, therefore, to ask you all to continue to give your unstinted loyalty to and support for our governments at both State and Federal levels.
This will guarantee that we will continue to have a stable nation where the climate for steady progress will he extremely favourable. Let as all resolve on this New Year’s Day to ensure that peace, harmony and goodwill will prevail in our nation not only for this year but for the decades to follow. Let us pledge to ourselves, to our nation as well as to our posterity that we will make Malaysia a truly happy nation free of all religious, racial or political prejudices.
We owe it to ourselves to our children to preserve and to develop the great heritage of liberty and prosperity that we have acquired when we attained independence.
Finally, I should like to pay a tribute to our leaders, especially our former Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman and his able successor, Tun Abdul Razak as well as to our own Chief Minister, Tun Datu Haji Mustapha bin Datu Harun for the very wise and courageous leadership that they have provided as in our moments of crises.
Without their leadership, I am sure that we would not have achieved the unprecedented progress that we have in our nation today.
I should also like to pay a special tribute to the security forces and the police for having kept our State free from all threats and dangers. To the civil servants in this State, I should also like to give our heartfelt thanks for their dedication and determination in carrying out their work in accordance with the policies of the Government,
They have indeed carried out the fine tradition of an efficient civil service by their willingness to work hard against over-whelming difficulties and problems which always face developing nations such as ours.
Last out not least, I should like to make a special mention of the great service provided by the voluntary organisations such as Red Cross, Sabata, St John Ambulances and the Society for the Blind. The members of these organisations have often worked anonymously but have provided valuable services to the people. Finally I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.”
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