PM vows Federal attention to Sabah issues
Published on: Monday, May 30, 2022
Ismail Sabri (centre) being briefed on a robot named Papper by Datuk Datu Rosmadi Sulai when visiting an exhibition booth in conjunction with JAKM at SICC.
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Federal Government has always played a very positive role as a family member in fulfilling all matters in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), especially what the Sabah Malaysian Family should be getting.“In this regard, a Federal-level Committee has been formed and chaired by me as the Prime Minister and joined by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to discuss various matters, including Sabah’s demands through MA63,” he said, when launching the Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia (JAKM) Sabah edition at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu, on May 20.
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He said it was the Federal Government’s hope to see Sabah and Sarawak enjoy rapid development like the other states.
“The Government is working to close the development gap between the peninsula and Sabah and the construction of the toll-free Pan Borneo Highway network will be able to change the entire area in Sabah within five years.
“At the same time, the Government also remains committed to investing in education by repairing and rebuilding poor schools in rural Sabah.
“I understand that the Education Ministry has entrusted 113 dilapidated schools in Sabah to the Public Works Department (JKR) Malaysia and JKR Sabah as the implementing agency to upgrade the schools at a cost of RM1.02 billion,” he said.
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Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12), the Government also set a target of zero hardcore poor by the end of 2025.
He said the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU), Prime Minister’s Department, were coordinating and facilitating the Malaysian Family Hardcore Poverty Eradication Programme (BMTKM).
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“Therefore, the Government is holding a comprehensive engagement session with the cooperation of the State Government and district offices to obtain input from all parties, including the grassroots level to ensure that this target can be achieved,” he said.
Under the first phase, 10 localities in Sabah have been identified – Tongod, Pitas, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Beluran, Nabawan, Tuaran, Sipitang, Beaufort and Ranau.
“Previously, the poverty eradication programme was implemented in a ‘silo’ in almost all the agencies involved.
“However, under the BMTKM programme, EPU and ICU will be the coordinator combining all parties involved such as the Ministry, State Government, academics, the private sector and civil society organisations (CSOs) to find the best method to eliminate the hardcore poor holistically based on locality,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the Government was also aware of the importance of cooperation between neighbouring countries in controlling the country’s borders, which were now being tightened.
“In this regard, the Trilateral Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines will be reviewed to strengthen defence and security matters in Sabah waters,” said Ismail Sabri.
He also gave good news for residents around Pagalungan in Nabawan, who require a border crossing pass, that they no longer have to travel more than 100km to Keningau just to get the pass which is now available at the Pagalungan Immigration Control Post.
“To ensure ‘no wrong door policy’, the Long Term Visit Pass and Temporary Working Visit Pass (PLKS) can now be done at all Immigration offices in the State,” he added.
The PM also said the Government is always sensitive to the grievances of Malaysian Family members, including the unreasonable increase in flight ticket prices and delayed flights during the festive season.
On JAKM, Ismail Sabri hoped the Sabah Malaysian Family members would take advantage of the facilities provided and appreciate the true meaning of the Malaysian Family Aspirations which guarantee the harmony and wellbeing of all Malaysian Family members.
“When I introduced the concept of the Malaysian Family, the people of Sabah must have smiled because the basic value of unity in diversity is already ingrained in the life of the Malaysian Family in the Land Below The Wind. This JAKM in Sabah is part of the Government’s efforts to fulfil the aspirations of the people who want their wellbeing and peace to continue to be guaranteed and their welfare be protected,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said tHE diverse ethnic groups in Sabah that can sit together at one table reflects the true spirit and aspirations of the Keluarga Malaysia concept.
He said he was proud to see unity and understanding among the various races in the State because that was the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia that should be continued to be emphasised in this country.
He said Sabah people’s openness in fostering inter-racial harmony could establish a big family that was able to face whatever challenges that lie ahead.
“As the Kadazan saying goes ‘Osusa Toi Asanang Tomoi-mo Mi-i-so’, which means during good or bad times, we will continue to stay united as a Keluarga Malaysia. This is my ultimate hope.
“When I introduced the Keluarga Malaysia concept, the people of Sabah were all smiles because the basic value of unity in diversity is ingrained in the life of the Keluarga Malaysia in this State,” he said.
On JAKM, Ismail Sabri said it was part of the Government’s efforts to fulfil the aspirations of the people who want their wellbeing and welfare continue to be protected.
“I hope Keluarga Malaysia in Sabah will take advantage of the facilities provided and appreciate the true meaning of the Keluarga Malaysia Aspirations which guarantee the harmony and wellbeing of Keluarga Malaysia,” he said.
Several interesting, fun and beneficial activities have been lined up for visitors at the three-day event, which starts daily at 9am until May 22. Among them are the Malaysian Family Agro Sales, Malaysian Family Sales, electronic sports; community games, gotong-royong, fun ride cycling tour and Malaysian Family feast.
Sabah is the third destination for the JAKM, inspired by the Prime Minister, after the first was held in Johor and the second in Perlis.
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