CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is confident the Federal Government’s RM320.25 million aid to Sabah will expedite short-term plans to solve the state’s water woes.
It involves the implementation of six programmes encompassing 20 projects throughout the state including nine projects under district plans for Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Putatan, Papar, Beaufort, Keningau, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sandakan.
Hajiji said the projects are expected to take six to 12 months to complete and welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s quick decision to the State Government’s request.
The Chief Minister, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister III cum Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya and State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong, briefed Anwar on Sabah’s plans to address the water supply problem at his office in Putrajaya, on June 1.
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The meeting was also attended by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and heads of relevant federal departments and agencies.
Hajiji also shared the State Government’s long-term high-impact water supply plans, including two dam projects in Papar and at Upper Padas, Sipitang to ensure sustained water supply for the long term.
On this, the Prime Minister called for the immediate setting up of a task force comprising state and federal ministries to seek a holistic approach and the best way forward.
Kelantan’s Menteri Besar Dato Haji Ahmad Yaakob and his official entourage were also present at the meeting to brief the Prime Minister on Kelantan’s water supply problem.
At May 31’s State Kaamatan Festival closing ceremony which he attended, the Prime Minister disclosed that he would chair a Federal-State top-level meeting on Sabah’s water supply problem on June 1.
The meeting was meant to resolve the water supply problem in Sabah together with the State Government.
Anwar had said he is serious and determined to quickly resolve infrastructure problems faced by states, including Sabah, and was personally committed to solving Sabah’s woes.
“In a short time (since becoming Prime Minister) I have come to Sabah three times. This is because I want to fulfil my responsibilities.
The Chief Minister (Hajiji) told me that while the Government under his leadership is strong and cohesive, there are issues that should be resolved well, among them the water supply and roads.
“So I have decided that tomorrow (June 1) morning I will have a high-level meeting involving the Federal and State governments to resolve the water problem together with the State Government,” he said at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Kaamatan Festival at the Hongkod Koisaan hall of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) in Penampang.
Anwar said many ministers, Members of Parliament and officials of the Prime Minister’s Department had also said he (Anwar) should go to the interior of Sabah and see and experience himself the poor road conditions.
“So recently, the allocations for repairing roads were increased, with the biggest chunk going to Sabah. We have asked for immediate action,” he said.
He said action was being taken to ensure the Pan Borneo Highway project as well as road repair and maintenance works in Sabah could be implemented speedily for the benefit of the people in the State.
“To smoothen the implementation, part of the repair and maintenance works will be handed over to the State Government in accordance with the national financial regulations and policies.
“I want to assure you that the Unity Government is serious and determined to resolve these problems as soon as possible,” he said, adding problems involving education, health and basic infrastructures faced by the people must be dealt with promptly and properly.
Anwar also praised the efforts by Hajiji to settle infrastructure problems in the State, describing him as a good example of a leader who has the people’s interests at heart.
The Prime Minister said when he arrived in Sabah at 1 am on Wednesday, Hajiji was so enthusiastic about discussing infrastructure issues that Anwar had to jokingly tell him that he needed time to sleep before resuming their talks.
“Hajiji showed great concern. This is the type of leader we want, not those who ask about projects and share for themselves. But Hajiji asked about additional projects for Sabah people,” he said.
Earlier, Anwar said the Unity Government is determined to make this a new phase of Malaysia that uplifts all the people.
He believed that in a short period of time, Malaysia would be able to bring back the true spirit of unity among the people.
“Today I feel very happy to be able to celebrate an important festival not only for the Kadazan Dusun Murut Rungus (KDMR) community but for all Malaysians in Sabah and the whole country. Events like this are people’s events.
“We have ambitions to make Sabah and Malaysia a superior country with a great economy, a strong level of education and technology, but still rooted in our own traditional culture.
“Malaysia is great as long as its people, starting with its leadership, have an open, respectful, tolerant and appreciative attitude because we all have each other’s strengths.
“Each has its own strength, each has its own greatness and each has its own beauty, in terms of dance, clothes, diversity and culture. What is the greatness of man if there is no love for each other’s diversity?
“This is our wish. I chose to inform the Chief Minister that I want to attend this festival to show that the Unity Government really wants to convince the people that this is a new phase of Malaysia that uplifts all the people in this country,” he said. He added that his presence at the Kaamatan Festival is a symbol, that is, all government leaders and all states in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, that every festival of any tribe and any community in the region is a common celebration that we should honour.
Anwar was also moved when told by Pairin in his speech that he is the first Prime Minister to attend the Kaamatan Festival celebration. He also announced a RM1 million allocation to KDCA for its activities. “For other requests such as the proposed university college, I will wait until the proposed paper is ready and discuss with the State Government,” he said.
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