Kota Kinabalu: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led State Government is committed to ensuring equal development for all communities in the State, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor.
“The GRS Government has achieved many successes since taking over with the full mandate from the people after the elections. I thank the people, especially the Chinese community, for their continuous support by working together with the State Government to bring prosperity to Sabah,” he said.
Hajiji was launching the 2022 Chinese New Year Dragons, Unicorns and Lions Dance Festival organised by the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) at the SICC, Saturday.
He also visited over 10 booths of various Chinese associations selling traditional food and delicacies in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration on Feb. 1.
Some 500 people came to see the Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival performance by 23 troupes from noon until 6pm under strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the SICC. Hajiji said it is the State Government’s hope that the people would continue to support by becoming a partner in progress to realise the government’s development agenda.
“It is my aspiration as the Chief Minister to chart a development path for Sabah and the rakyat. We have launched the five-year development roadmap, Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya last year,” he said.
Hajiji reiterated that the State Government has been emphasising the development of human capital and people’s wellbeing evident from the huge allocation of RM164.12 million under the State 2022 Budget for the relevant agencies, educational and religious bodies.
“In line with the Malaysian Family spirit the allocations are for the benefit of all religions and races in Sabah.
“The biggest ever allocation approved by the State Government totaling RM47 million for non-Muslim religious bodies and vernacular as well as Mission schools this year also reflected the State Government’s sincerity to take care of the welfare of all the people in Sabah,” he said.
He said the people looked forward to welcoming the Year of the Tiger, which is known for its strength, prowess and bravery, especially after going through an unprecedented challenge from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I am sure the expectation for things to get better is higher this year,” he said, and commended USCCAKK for its unwavering commitment to organise the Festival during the pre-Covid-19 years before this.
Also present were State Local Government and Housing Minister/Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong, Nonimated Assemblyman Datuk Yong Teck Lee, President USCCAKK Datuk Susan Wong, Organising Chairman Datuk Chua Soon Ping, Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Tan Sri Andrew Liew, Federation of Chinese Association Malaysia President Tan Sri T C Goh, Hokkien Association, Kota Kinabalu President Datuk Clement Yeh and Chinese community leaders.
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