Kota Kinabalu: The Federal Government’s decision to give full autonomy to Sabah for development projects under RM50 million will definitely help in the approval and implementation of projects that have been impeded by red tape, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Lauding the decision, he said it was another piece of good news announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on top of the handing over of regulatory power of the State’s gas resources to Sabah.
“In the spirit of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63), this is indeed good news,” he said in a statement, Wednesday.
In a press conference after chairing the Cabinet meeting Wednesday, Anwar announced that full autonomy would be given to Sabah and Sarawak for projects under RM50 million, based on proper compliance with established monetary regulations.
Hajiji said he and the Sarawak Premier would be meeting the Prime Minister to finalise a few matters under MA63, including the special grant issue.
He noted that the working and review committees on MA63 would continue under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
“Other good news expected, the additional allocation for the Pan Borneo Highway project for Sabah to speed up its completion,” he said.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the granting of powers to the governments of Sabah and Sarawak was to ensure that decisions could be made immediately without the need for a final say at the Federal level.
He said the Cabinet's decision was in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to ensure that projects that were delayed due to related decisions having to be made by Federal agencies could be implemented immediately.
Anwar said the implementation was done in compliance with existing financial regulations but the decision could be made by the state government in Kuching or Kota Kinabalu compared to before.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the latest move would speed up development programmes in Sabah and was something the people had been looking forward to.
“We thank the Prime Minister and the Unity Government. It shows the Prime Minister understands the needs of Sabah people,” he said.
He said the matter had been awaited for a long time to enable the Government to identify which development projects that will be implemented based on needs or priorities.
Bung, who is State Works Minister, hoped the Federal Government would speed up allocations for the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway project so that it could be implemented faster.
Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the Cabinet’s decision showed the current Federal Government’s commitment to uphold the MA63.
“Parti Warisan thanks the Prime Minister for his concern in realising Sabahans’ long-cherished dream of seeing the 1963 Malaysia Agreement implemented,” he added.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.