KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah administration cannot be comfortable and satisfied with its current investments, and must work harder and be innovative in generating new revenue for the state, said Sabah Governor Tun Juhar Mahirruddin.
He said this after he commended Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor and the state cabinet for achieving the highest revenue collection at RM6.96 billion in 2022, despite an uncertain economic environment.
Juhar said he is confident that Hajiji will lead the state cabinet and create a more prosperous Sabah.
“Hajiji will continue to put Sabah on the right track through the implementation of various efforts and initiatives in development. This includes aggressively exploring trade opportunities and high-impact investments to boost the economy and protect the well-being of the state’s people,” Juhar said in his policy speech during the opening of the state assembly sitting here today.
He said that now into its second year, the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan has shown results through Sabah’s various achievements reflected in its growing economy.
On the poverty rate in Sabah, Juhar said the state is working with the federal government to implement the People’s Income Initiative programme to eradicate hardcore poverty, aside from the state-funded Rumah Mesra SMJ programme, which will provide affordable homes for hardcore poor families in rural areas in all 73 state seats in Sabah.
On the tourism sector, Juhar said Sabah recorded 1.73 million tourists in 2022 and is expecting to reach 2.2 million next year, which will generate greater income.
To achieve this target, he said, the Sabah government is committed to implementing programmes and initiatives to promote Sabah, making it the most attractive tourist destination in Malaysia.
In the agriculture sector, in line with the Sabah government’s efforts to make it a regional food hub, the state government has developed six “permanent food production parks” (PFPP) and another six mini-PFPPs that utilise the latest technology to produce high-quality and productive crops.
The state government’s focus this year will be on planting fruits such as Musang King durian, MD2 pineapples, avocados, Sabah bananas, Chokanan mangoes, and fast-growing vegetables such as sweet corn, ginger, and yam, as well as coffee beans and coconuts.
Juhar said the Sabah government will also implement initiatives to improve the infrastructure and utilities including roads, water, and electricity supply, sewerage system, ports and docks, and public transportation; and speed up the implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway Project and the expansion project of the Teluk Sepanggar Container Port.
He thanked the federal government for handing over the authority to handle all development projects that cost RM50 million and below, and said the decision will help speed up development in Sabah.
“The handing over of authority to the Sabah government to approve projects will help Sabah create a better plan for projects that need to be implemented immediately for the interests of the people,” he added. –The Vibes, May 22, 2023
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