KOTA KINABALU, SABAH – Sabah will benefit a total RM 5.01 billion allocation comprising 1,039 developmental projects under the 12 Malaysia Plan in 2021.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the objective of development for all is part of Perikatan Nasional’s commitment in ensuring sustainable progress under the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 blueprint.
The amount will cover all ministries and government agencies.
“Among major development upgrades implemented are the Pan Borneo Highway project, the the Seppangar Bay port, 50 dilapidated schools via industrialized building system (IBS) and rural roads connectivity projects…
“All these are expected to increase economic activities in Sabah,” he said during a townhall session today.
Socio-economically wise, development plans for Sabah and its brother Sarawak are given prime focus to improve via digital connectivity (broadband).
He said on top of that, skills training and improving basic infrastructure like road links are ways to ensure that Sabah and Sarawak grow at par alongside West Malaysia.
When asked the hot question on political instability, Muhyiddin said averting this is the responsibility of all Malaysians.
“This is so we can retain and improve confidence in foreign investors…
“The COVID-19 blight and political turbulence undoubtedly has done a great deal to turn them away.
“We acknowledge this problem. Questions of will we have the same Prime Minister, or even the same country again if these investors return, repeat themselves,” he asked.
He said his approach was to always prioritize the people’s issues first, which is the reason why he is sometimes falls silent when responding to political affairs.
“The people are fed up. They don’t need to hear politics right now. What we think is important is to focus on what the peoples needs…
“When the time comes, we will leave it to them to make the decision,” the Prime Minister said.
When asked how the federal government will help revive the tourism industry in Sabah – the state’s number one income generator – he said plans are set but are awaiting for the “right time” given the global pandemic.
“Sabah is still under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) status. The first step would be allowing interstate travel hopefully in the soonest…
“Adherence to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or stricter enforcement will control the virus spread.
“More Sabahans must be vaccinated thus allowing easier logistics,” he said.
