KOTA KINABALU – Policies that will be formed and implemented by the unity government are expected to provide the biggest possible opportunities for Sabah’s economic sector to grow and boost development in the state.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) vice-chancellor Datuk Kasim Mansor said this is because Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia, rich in oil and gas resources, aside from being the country’s main oil palm producer.
Kasim, who is also a member of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council, said that exploring the state’s natural resources and adding value through continuous efforts will be able to help improve the economy of local communities that had been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The government has already been formed. Now we are focusing on developing the country in general and Sabah in particular, so in this regard we expect the main focus to be on strengthening the economy so that those affected by the impact of Covid-19 can breathe.
“If possible, the government can give more and better opportunities and create wider spaces for entrepreneurs, and the government’s facilities can be channelled as quickly as possible to the people,” he said.
Kasim said all sectors need their own strategies to accelerate their growth, adding that the focus in Sabah is on developing the agricultural sector, while the tourism sector that was halted a few years ago due to the pandemic should be reopened with Covid-19 monitoring.
He said Sabah should not be left behind in the country’s development since it is also known for its multiracial community’s cultural and artistic diversity. – Bernama, December 18, 2022
