MENUMBOK: The people of Sabah are urged to give their mandate to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to enable the government to continue implementing development programmes planned under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the new mandate, through the 17th Sabah state election is crucial to ensure the sustained and accelerated development of the state under SMJ 2.0.
He said SMJ 1.0, which began in 2021, had recorded impressive achievements in implementing the various initiatives outlined by the government, the results of which can already be seen and felt by the people.
“Give us a new mandate and we will drive more robust development under the SMJ 2.0 for Sabah.
“The first phase of SMJ 1.0 (2021–2025) has been successfully implemented, but there is still much more to be done to ensure continued development for the state,” he said.
The Chief Minister said this at the Launch of the Kuala Penyu and Menumbok Sub-District Strategic Development Plan 2025 – 2035, the key handover ceremony for the Sabah Maju Jaya houses, the opening of Masjid Nur Ihsan Menumbok, the hand over of land gazette Handover and aid presentation by the Limus Jury Foundation, held at the Tamu Pekan Menumbok site on Thursday.
In this regard, Hajij, who is also GRS Chairman urged the people not to be influenced by the rhetoric or speeches of Opposition party leaders who often attack the GRS-led government with unfounded accusations, including claims that the government has failed.
Instead, he urged the people to look at the successes achieved by GRS over the past five years in restoring the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic and facing political instability since taking over the government five years ago.
For that reason, he said, there is no reason not to choose GRS again in the upcoming 17th State election, as much has already been achieved and enjoyed by the people and these efforts must continue for the sustained benefit of Sabah and its people.
“It would be a loss if the people do not choose the the GRS government again. We focus on helping our people, while others only know how to lie, slander, and make all sorts of promises without results – that’s their (opposition) job,” he said.
“So, let us not be influenced by them. They have already been given the opportunity in the previous government and some even served as ministers for years yet what did they do?
“Now they say the GRS government has failed. What failure? The problems we are facing now were inherited from them. What did they do when they were Rural Development Minister? The water issue wasn’t resolved, electricity, rural roads weren’t completed, so why blame the current government?” he said.
The Chief Minister reiterated that his administration has achieved what previous governments never did, including attracting a large number of local and foreign investors -thanks to GRS’s investor-friendly approach.
He said dozens of domestic and international companies have come to invest in various sectors, including tourism in Sabah — which not only boosts the economy but also creates many job opportunities.
“We are also helping the poor in villages because when we collect more revenue, we return it to the people. This year alone, about 100,000 low-income citizens are receiving RM300 per month in assistance.
“Through the Welfare Department, we are helping 70,000 people, including persons with disabilities (OKU) and senior citizens, with monthly aid, compared to only 30,000 previously.
“That’s not all, we are also providing SMJ housing. This year alone, we built 40 SMJ homes, and next year we will increase this to 50, including 10 for newly married young couples who cannot afford their own house and are still living with their parents. This has never been done before,” he said.
He added that the education sector has also been prioritised, with allocations reaching RM1.3 billion over the past five years, particularly to support students through scholarship programmes and various other forms of assistance.
Hajiji said the Kuala Penyu and Menumbok Sub-District Strategic Development Plan 2025–2035 is an important document aligned with the SMJ development agenda to ensure balanced progress for the people in both districts.
During his visit, Hajiji also officiated the Nur Ihsan Mosque Menumbok, which was completed on 27 March with allocation of RM3.26 million from the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU).
He also expressed appreciation to the Limus Jury Education Foundation, which has assisted 5,350 students in Kuala Penyu and Menumbok through various educational support initiatives.
At the ceremony, Hajiji handed over three native residential land gazettes under Section 78, involving Kampung Mansud (6.268 hectares), Kampung Purun (13.740 hectares), and Kampung Tanjung Aru (24.339 hectares).-pr/BNN
