TAWAU: Most Sabahan voters, particularly from the B40 and M40 income groups living in Peninsular Malaysia, want to vote for local Sabah parties in the coming 17th State Election to ensure a dominant State Government that can fully assert Sabah’s rights.
This was expressed by Sabah Action Body Advocating Right (Sabar) Secretariat Chairman Muhammad Faisal Mohamad Mohidin after receiving feedback through various programmes organised in the peninsula. He said support for the State Government was also voiced by Sabah non-governmental organisation chairpersons during the programmes.
He said this awareness came from seeing concrete evidence of specific initiatives to help the people’s welfare, including special education focus under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s leadership.
“He (Hajiji) did not need to make promises but delivered various assistance to higher education students, SPM, STPM, STAM students (receiving RM200) and students pursuing foundation, matriculation, diploma studies (receiving RM1,500) as well as degree level (RM2,000).
“This includes assistance to Sabah students in peninsula Malaysia, Sarawak and Labuan amounting to RM600, plus assistance Sabah students within the State (RM300) and much more,” he said.
Similarly, he noted assistance to nearly 1,500 Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) Statewide totalling RM2,000 each and all Sabah schools receiving RM3,000.
Faisal said this amount excludes school maintenance assistance totalling RM50, 000 and the latest MUET fee assistance to thousands of Sabah students.
“In fact, scholarship funds were increased to RM136 million this year, besides one-off assistance to Sabah students through the Sabah State Education Fund.
“Ask Sabah student associations within and outside the State how the State Government supports them in implementing various student, community and other programmes,” he said.
He cited Semesta and collaboration with State agencies in programmes like the Chief Minister’s Cup Debate and Speech, Destini SMJ Youth, plus collaboration with many PTAs for academic, leadership, sports and community programmes in schools.
Regarding PTPTN loans, he said the government continues planning to ease students’ burden through subsidy initiatives and debt payment discounts.
He said this approach is more realistic than writing off PTPTN debts, considering the priority to address people’s basic needs first. Therefore, he urged first-time voters aged 18 and above who will vote in state election to examine the facts and evidence of the State Government’s capability in caring for people’s welfare from all angles.
As voters, the people, especially youths, have a major responsibility to choose a truly strong and stable government capable of securing stronger revenue to continue the agenda of prospering the people and developing the State.
He said he is not biased, but when the government is strong, it means Sabahans will be more respected and most importantly have bargaining power in demanding the State’s rights.
