KOTA KINABALU – The state government will not be wasting time on negative matters as development projects are starting to bear fruit, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
“We are seeing that the high-impact development projects with foreign and local investors are bearing fruit. These are the SK Nexilis copper foil production, the Kibing innovative glass manufacturing and Linaco’s high-yield coconut plantation project.
“These are only examples. There are more (investments) in the process of implementation. We are expecting delegations to visit Sabah. We have to use the existing resources that we have, be united, and move forward.
“Put aside the negative matters that could only destroy us,” he said, at the launch of the state-level Kaamatan Festival at the Sabah Handicraft Centre, Keningau today.
He added that Sabah has been doubling its padi harvest.
“With the Kaamatan spirit, we will boost our rice and other agriculture produce output. The state government has allocated RM561.81 million for agriculture, which is a sector that provides food, jobs, business and raw materials for the manufacturing sector.”
He also announced that Sabah’s first Agriculture Production Collection Centre will be opened next month to cater to the demand for 50 million metric tonnes of agricultural produce such as fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
“We are on the right track. Unity and cooperation are very important and they should not be dismissed as something petty.”
Also present were Kaamatan Festival 2022 organising committee chairman Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, Huguan Siou (paramount leader of the Kadazan Dusun community) Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, state secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong, Keningau district officer Walter Kenson, elected representatives and community leaders.
The Kaamatan festival is to be celebrated in Sabah for the entire month of May and this year is the first time that in-person celebrations will be held after two years of movement restrictions due to the pandemic. – The Vibes, May 1, 2022
