KUALA LUMPUR: All policy makers have been urged to take note of the Prime Minister’s hopes and dreams to build a nation where everyone benefits.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal said this was clear when the Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad spoke of building a nation of “shared prosperity” for all citizens.
Tun Mahathir sent out a very important message when he mentioned the federation and Bangsa Malaysia during the mid-term review of the 11th Malaysia Plan in parliament today.
“There should not be anyone left who feel they are marginalised from mainstream development. Development should also not be neglected in certain states or regions,” he said.
This shows the Prime Minister’s sincerity in ensuring equality for all Malaysians irrespective of race, religion and region.
Speaking to the media outside the Dewan today, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Mohd Shafie said Sabah and Sarawak had been vociferously asking for a fair share of the nation’s prosperity all this while and the sharing of power.
In his last trip to Kota Kinabalu, the Prime Minister had also emphasised on equal status for Sabah and Sarawak and he reiterated his pledge in parliament.
“We are grateful to him and for all the other pledges he has made to Sabah especially in the mid-term review of the 11th Malaysia Plan,” said the Chief Minister.
Development projects in Sabah and Sarawak will be expedited to generate higher economic growth.
These projects include basic infrastructure such as providing water and power supplies in rural areas.
The construction of 106 new telecommunication towers and upgrading the existing 400 others will improve broadband coverage in the remote parts of both states.
Some 7,000 affordable houses will be built and upgrading 400 dilapidated schools as well as the Papar Hospital and those in Miri and Lawas.
Survey work and mapping of Native Customary Rights land will be implemented to enable the land to be developed.
Ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak will be empowered through a greater number of programmes, opportunities in education as well as skill training and entrepreneurship.
“What I am presenting is for the people, for all Malaysians from Perlis to Sabah, for the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans, Muruts and Orang Asli as well as other ethnic groups under the Malaysian sky.
“We want Malaysia to be united and we want Malaysians to succeed and enjoy the nation’s wealth, and I urge all Malaysians to take on this responsibility,” said Tun Dr Mahathir.-pr/BNN
