Hajiji appreciates support of three ex-Warisan representatives
Published on: Thursday, February 09, 2023
By: Larry Ralon
Asked if they would be invited to join Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), Hajiji who is also Gagasan Rakyat President said: “We will wait for whatever decision they will make later for themselves and their future in politics.”
Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said he appreciates the decision of the three former Parti Warisan elected representatives to support the State Government led by him.“I thank them very much for taking the decision to support the State Government led by me,” he said, when asked about the trio after he attended the Yayasan Sabah Group’s Awards Night at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Tuesday.
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He was referring to Kunak Assemblywoman Norazlinah Arif, Mohammad Mohamarin (Banggi) and Ben Chong (Tanjong Kapor) who left Warisan on Monday to become Independents and support the State Government led by him.
Asked if they would be invited to join Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), Hajiji who is also Gagasan Rakyat President said: “We will wait for whatever decision they will make later for themselves and their future in politics.”
In a joint statement, Norazlinah, Mohammad and Ben said their move was taken after examining and considering aspects from all angles, including the direction of the political situation in Sabah and the views of the grassroots in the areas they represent.
“We are of the view that the time has come to put a stop to polemics in politics or actions to create instability to the Government as these would affect efforts to develop the State and improve the people’s welfare,” said Norazlinah in a video.
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“We will work together with the Chief Minister and the State Government to continue the positive momentum of the State’s development and increase its revenue through the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya.
“We are also determined to continue to focus and provide better services for the people in our constituency in particular and Sabah and Malaysia in general.”
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In the recorded video sent via WhatsApp to Daily Express, Norazlinah also said:
“I no longer want to spend my time and energy arguing with one another and have decided to focus on fighting for the ‘Keluarga Kunak’ whom I represent.”
Norazlinah said they hope to continue their services for their constituents.
“We would like to thank and apologise to the President (Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal), friends and party supporters.
“Along with our decision, we relinquish all positions in the party, whether at the divisional level or in the Supreme Council,” said Norazlinah, who was Warisan Wanita Chief, while both Mohammad and Ben were Supreme Council members.
Meanwhile, when asked about the recent flood, Hajiji said the State Government would do its best to assist those affected.
He noted that the floods also damaged public infrastructure in the areas involvedin Beaufort, Sipitang, Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Keningau, Beluran and Lahad Datu, resulting in thousands of people having to be placed at temporary evacuation centres.
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At least 49 schools were also affected including in Beaufort, Beluran, Kota Marudu, Kudat, Lahad Datu, Pitas and Sipitang.
Meanwhile, 95 per cent of the 17 initiatives of the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan under the Yayasan Sabah Group have been successfully implemented.
Hajiji, who is also Chairman of the Yayasan Sabah Board of Trustees, said the 17 initiatives were launched in 2022 which involve two thrusts in SMJ, namely human capital and green sustainability.
“This is an achievement we are very proud of and congratulations to all members of Yayasan Sabah Group who are involved in the implementation of the initiatives. As the State Government’s strategic machinery, the Yayasan Sabah Group needs to continue to drive various programmes in line with SMJ’s direction. However, the effort has not yet come to an end.
“The development of human capital needs to be continuously improved, especially in the aspect of education. I want the Yayasan Sabah Group to continue to focus on education from childhood to higher education. I hope the launch of the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) in June last year can ease the financial burden of the Yayasan Sabah Group in financing the commitment.
“In 2022, as much as RM28.5 million has been spent to provide sponsorship in the form of scholarships, bursaries and loans to 2,823 new and currently studying students. I am confident that with the accumulated funds TPNS will be able to ease the financial burden of the Yayasan Sabah Group,” he said.
The CM was also proud that Yayasan Sabah College of Technology (KTYS) recorded a graduate employability rate of approximately 98 per cent while University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) recorded 75 per cent in 2022.
“A lot of assistance or initiatives are given by the Government to develop the education agenda in this state. This initiative opens a new light for the population, especially the B40 group, to ensure their children can get an education up to the university level.
“The State Public Service Department will handle the awarding of State Scholarships, Bursaries and Student Aid to provide opportunities for people of Sabah to continue their studies and training to a higher level. For this purpose, a total of RM57 million has been allocated this year.
“In the meantime, the efforts of Yayasan Sabah, which is committed to protecting the treasures in the conservation area under the supervision of the group, must continue to be improved. This effort is in line with the commitment of the State Government which will always ensure the implementation of social and economic development to ensure the sustainability of the environment can be maintained for the wellbeing of the people,” said Hajiji.
He also asked the management of the Yayasan Sabah Group to continue to work so that the business activities of the subsidiaries would continue to generate profits and thus be able to double the dividend payment to Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB).
“Almost all the sectors involved have recorded better returns in 2022. Profit before tax is expected to exceed RM412 million. Congratulations to the subsidiaries related to palm oil plantations and electricity generation which are the main contributors to this encouraging performance.
“The profits recovery of the subsidiaries in the tourism and timber sectors also had an impact on this good performance. I was informed that based on continuous monitoring of subsidiaries in 2022, a record dividend payment to ICSB amounting to RM253.18 million has been produced,” he said.
He wants the management to continue to pay attention in their future planning, including ensuring that the Yayasan Sabah Group is administered efficiently in terms of costs; transforming loss-making subsidiaries through joint ventures where investment money will be injected by partners and monetise assets of the Yayasan Sabah Group that are not cultivated such as land and forestry.
This is in addition to adding value and returns to Yayasan Sabah Group’s subsidiaries through listing on the stock exchange; collaborating with organisations from inside and outside the country that have common interests; continuous monitoring of subsidiaries to ensure good performance so that maximum dividend payments can be made; implementation of the Pavillion Habour City, Jesselton Waterfront Sdn Bhd and Lok Kawi Resort City Development Projects; ensure cash entitlements from joint development projects can be received as quickly as possible; and implement several new hydroelectric development projects in identified areas.
Also present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir, Yayasan Sabah Director Dato’ Sri Haji Ghulamhaidar @ Yusof Khan Bahadar and ICSB Executive Chairman Datuk Jasnih Daya.
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