INANAM: Sabah is able to close the gap in development, including restoring eight of the country’s poorest districts, through forest carbon absorption conservation and the right to 40 per cent of revenue collection of the Federation of Malaysia in Sabah.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said to pursue the target, Sabah would continue to work together with local and national party partners to obtain financial and political rights in accordance with the Federal Constitution.
“We are still far from achieving our own financial capacity, which is one of the demands in realising the aspirations of the previous leaders to make Sabah independent,” he said.
However, added Dr Jeffrey, the struggle must continue from generation to generation with a strong and resilient spirit.
Jeffrey, who is also State Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, expressed concern because eight of the 10 poorest districts in Malaysia are located in Sabah, which is also the area where the majority of Sabah’s indigenous people live.
Data from the Rural Development Ministry states that the eight poorest districts in Sabah are Kudat, Pitas, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Beluran, Telupid, Tongod and Nabawan.
“Sabah is able to double its financial capacity from its forest carbon absorption conservation resources and the distribution of the revenue collected by the country in Sabah,” he said.
Jeffrey, who is also Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) Sabah President, said this at a meet-the-people session at Kg Kolompisahon Sinulihan Baru Dambai, Inanam, on Sunday.
The programme, organised by Wiranita Star Sabah, at the residence of exco Roselin Gitan saw the acceptance of 160 new members from some 300 residents of the village.
Also present were Sabah Star Wiranita head Flovia Ng, who is also Community Development and People’s Welfare Assistant Minister, Star Vice President Kapitan Stephen Teo and Secretary General Edward Linggu.
Regarding the residents’ request for basic facilities such as electricity, water supply and road repair, Jeffrey informed that his party would help to repair the existing road. As for the gravity water supply and electricity, he asked Flovia and Stephen to hold a discussion with the villagers to determine the best approach to implement the facility.
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