Sabah CM: Let us renew our commitment as one nation

KOTA KINABALU: The Chief Minister has called for a renewal of commitment agreed to previously by Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia with the celebration of the first Malaysia Day under the new government.

Likening the gaping difference between them to the South China Sea, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said economic progress and social welfare were still imbalanced.

“With the new federal government, let the Malaysia Day celebration this time be a starting point for us to renew the commitment that we have agreed on together.

“Any issues that come up have to be reviewed so that all of us can stand equally as a nation,” he said during the Malaysia Day celebration at Padang Merdeka here last night.

It is understood that Shafie was alluding to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Decisions, he said, were made based on cooperation.

“That is why we must retain this spirit and hold fast to the spirit that all matters can be achieved via negotiations,” he added.

Shafie, who also asked for more funds and allocations for Sabah’s development, said these were needed to realise the people’s mounting hopes for a better economy, as well as the political stability and welfare of Malaysia.

He also credited Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his efforts and initiatives in bringing development to all states, including Sabah.

“We hope that under the new government – whether at the federal or state level – more development and progress can be brought to Sabah,” he said.

Since Parti Warisan Sabah and its allies took over the state government, Shafie said, the state had gained investors from all over the world.

“They have shown interest in investing in Sabah, especially in strategic sectors,” he added.

Sabahans, he said, were fortunate because the state had every­thing it needed to emerge as an economic power with its vast natural resources and richness of cultures as well as traditions.

“Sabah is also committed to prog­ress and preparing a human resource that is knowledgeable, highly skilled and innovative.

“If all these plans run smoothly, Sabah will not only be a fast growing state, but it will also see no segment of its people left behind,” Shafie said.