KOTA KINABALU: The proposal to revive the Sabah Federal Development Department (JPPS) has nothing to do with handing over Sabah rights to the Federal Government, said Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
The Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Chief said that assumption and accusation by the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is untrue, not precise, baseless and unbecoming.
He said reviving JPPS is the best way for Sabah and its people to be able to continue enjoying the development programmes and projects from the Federal Government, under the current political situation.
“I am surprised and find it strange reading Shafie’s statement. He seems to be unaware and do not accepted the fact that his government is now an opposition government at the Federal-level.
“Who is Shafie to try to be clever wanting to arrange Federal Government affairs in Sabah? Whilst the Warisan Government is now an opposition in Sabah,” he said in a statement today.
He was commenting on Shafie’s statement claiming it is unbecoming of Hajiji, as a Sabahan, to suggest the return of JPPS, which is tantamount to giving away more of Sabah rights to the hands of others.
Shafie said Hajiji should know what is dear to the hearts of the people of Sabah.
“Instead, he is suggesting that we give away our rights to the Federal Government,” said Shafie.
Hajiji, who is also Sulaman State Assemblyman, stressed that it has nothing to do with Sabah giving away its rights to the Federal Government.
He said if Shafie is worried and afraid of losing his power in managing and arranging Federal projects and allocations in Sabah, then he and the Warisan-led State Government must give their full supports to the Federal Government of the day, which is led by Perikatan Nasional (PN).
“This is instead of just wanting to have a collaboration with the Federal Government, but at the same time maintained its stand of not supporting the Perikatan Nasional,” he stressed.
Hajiji said reviving JPPS is the best way for Sabah and aptly done for smooth and effective implementation of the development programmes and projects for the benefit of people in the opposition state.
He said Sabah used to have a JPPS during the era of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), which ruled Sabah as an opposition after it pulled out of the then ruling Barisan Nasional coalition from 1990 to 1994.
Federal Development Department was also established in Kelantan which previously ruled by an opposition government.
“JPPS is a platform representing the Federal Government in Sabah. Its purpose is to be the department that coordinate and monitor the implementation of Federal development projects in this State.
“Creating State Federal Development Department is a normal thing done for any state which is ruled by an opposition party.
“I find it strange that Shafie do not know and understand this scenario. It would be even strange if the Federal Government development programmes and allocation be implemented by an opposition State Government,” he stressed.-pr/BNN
