KOTA KINABALU – Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (Sulaman-Bersatu) will appeal to Putrajaya to ensure that federal government projects in Sabah will continue and not be placed on hold.
The chief minister told the state assembly today about the news on the central government’s plan on postponing projects to save on public expenditure, but the state administration was not informed of the matter.
“Sabah requires a huge allocation. But once we are notified, the state will appeal (for the projects to continue).
“We will ask the federal government not to put on hold all their projects in Sabah. This is important for us, as we had always said that the federal allocations to the state are not enough.
“So, if they decide to put the projects on hold again, I think this is not right for us in Sabah.
“I give my guarantee that we will appeal to the federal government to reconsider their policy,” said Hajiji in response to an additional question posed by Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak (Usukan-Umno).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the federal government is taking measures to save public expenditure by postponing or not continuing any projects that have yet to commence, Bernama reported on July 18.
The funds, he said, would be channelled into the welfare of the people, apart from economic recovery efforts.
Hajiji also announced that the state has formed two special committees to find ways to address labour shortage and the surge in prices of goods in the state.
He said this in response to a question posed by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Senallang-Warisan) who asked how the state economic recovery efforts would solve the two issues.
Hajiji said RM919.18 million has been allocated to beef up Sabah’s agriculture, industrial and tourism sectors.
Under the various efforts under the state’s five-year Sabah Maju Jaya plan, Hajiji has noted that over 5,637 jobs will be created through the various state efforts. – The Vibes, July 18, 2022
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