Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will appoint a Chinese elected representative as a Deputy Chief Minister if it is returned to power, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
“If this government is given the mandate once again, and if more Chinese leaders are successfully elected as representatives, I will appoint one of them as Deputy Chief Minister,” he said at the Get-Together Night with the Chinese community, mission/independent schools and non-Muslim religious bodies at Hakka Hall here Monday night., Hajiji emphasised the significant role and contribution of the Chinese community in Sabah’s progress and development.
“Without your contributions, the State’s economy would not have grown. In fact, the Chinese community’s contributions in Sabah span across many fields and sectors.
“In the private sector, Chinese entrepreneurs and traders are leading players. In the public service, many officers of Chinese descent hold senior positions in ministries, departments and government-linked companies (GLCs).
“We acknowledge and appreciate the role and contributions of the Chinese community in our society,” he said.
To further strengthen the state administration, Hajiji said he had appointed several advisors, particularly experts in oil and gas, finance, investment and law.
“Coincidentally, almost all of them are of Chinese descent. Most recently, I appointed the Honourable Tan Sri David Wong Dak Wah, former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, to head the Sabah Law Reform Advisory Council (SLRAC) – an independent body established to strengthen the State’s legal system.
“This council will review outdated laws, propose relevant, fair and people-friendly reforms and ensure that our administration is aligned with current needs. This is how we improve state governance, ensuring that Sabah remains progressive and respected,” he said.
Hajiji also said the State Government has allocated RM70 million in financial assistance for mission and independent schools, temples and non-Muslim religious bodies, with the amount set to increase to RM90 million next year.
He said as a responsible State Government “we do our best to plan and work hard to address issues, while ensuring that all communities, regardless of skin colour or religious beliefs, receive fair and just treatment.
“That is why I always support and assist any institution, NGO, or association in need of help, although it also depends on the Government’s capacity and availability of funds. This spirit of solidarity and togetherness has been the guiding principle of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and the State Government since forming the Government five years ago.”Apart from the RM70 million allocation, Hajiji said further assistance has been channelled through the Chief Minister’s Special Allocation, including support for Chinese schools and cultural associations in Sabah.
This includes aid for Chinese New Year festivals, the purchase of lion dance equipment, the Dragon Boat Festival, as well as assistance to churches and other organisations.
“It is hoped that this contribution will, to some extent, support the activities of schools and non-Muslim religious bodies throughout Sabah,” he said.
Hajiji said he fully understood the problems and needs of the people, particularly pressing issues such as water supply.
“Water shortages are occurring in various places. This problem arose when the previous State Government terminated the water supply concession contracts in Sabah.
As a result of that termination, the present State Government had to pay compensation of RM315 million to the companies involved,” he explained.
Nevertheless, he assured that the State Government is committed to resolving the issue, with 18 water supply development projects currently underway across Sabah.
“The Federal Government has approved a loan of RM300 million for this purpose,” he said.
Among the key projects is the RM365 million Kogopon Water Treatment Plant in Papar, with a capacity of up to 80 million litres daily (MLD), which is expected to be completed in 2026.
“Once completed, it will resolve the water supply issue in Papar, Kinarut and Putatan,” Hajiji said.
The RM300 million Air Cinta Mata Dam project in Tawau, with a capacity of 169 MLD, is also expected to be completed by 2027.
“For your information, the construction, repair and upgrading works of water treatment plants currently being implemented throughout Sabah total RM1.2 billion,” he said, adding that the water shortage crisis in Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Semporna is also being prioritised.
Meanwhile, water supply for Kota Kinabalu City is expected to improve once the Telibong II Water Treatment Plant is fully completed. The plant is already distributing 160 MLD to the city, KKIP and Tuaran areas, he noted.
As a long-term solution, Hajiji said the State Government has agreed to utilise the Ulu Padas Hydroelectric Project for power generation, while the Ulu Padas Water Supply Scheme will provide a capacity of 6,000 MLD specifically for the needs of Sabah’s West Coast.
The project, expected to be completed by 2030, is being developed through a joint venture between Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd, Gamuda Berhad — the implementer of the Ulu Padas Hydroelectric Project — and Kerjaya Kagum Hitech JV Sdn Bhd.
The State Government has also decided to privatise the Water Department in order to resolve the water supply problems faced by the people,” said the Chief Minister.