KOTA KINABALU – Sabah will formulate a five-year development plan called the “Sabah Maju Jaya” (SMJ) to propel the state into prosperity and developed status.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Md Noor said the SMJ plan will be presented during the state legislative assembly sitting in January next year.
“We are in the final stage of preparing the agenda and direction of the state development, which is currently in the engagement session to finalise the appropriate initiatives,” he said.
The implementation will involve a period of five years, from 2021 to 2025.
“This plan will move in line with the main framework of national development through the Shared Prosperity Vision (2020),” he said during the tabling of the Sabah budget at the state legislative assembly here today.
The SMJ plan’s objectives include building a united, peaceful and prosperous state and society, optimise state resources and revenue, stimulate economic recovery, improve the economy, and develop human capital, he said.
Hajiji said he also welcomed the views of all parties including those from the opposition, business communities and others towards improving the state budget.
Hajiji also announced the formation of the Sabah Economy Advisory Council with members comprising NGOs, economists and businessmen.
He said the council will also serve to attract local and foreign investments.
In view of the commercial agreement signed between Petronas and the Sarawak government, Sabah too will have a meeting on the same matter with the national oil company.
Hajiji said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is now arranging an immediate meeting with Petronas.
“The Sabah government is appreciative of the Prime Minister’s commitment on the resolution of the oil revenue rights.
“The formation of the special Malaysia Agreement 1963 council, which had its first meeting on December 2, also shows the commitment of the government to resolve state rights,” he said. – The Vibes, December 18, 2020
