Sabah agencies ordered to ensure 12MP projects are realised

KOTA KINABALU: All state agencies and ministries in Sabah have been ordered to give their full cooperation to Federal agencies to implement projects identified in the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said cooperation from all state ministries and agencies is needed to ensure projects earmarked under 12MP in Sabah are completed according to schedule.

He said that the Sabah government was happy that the state had been given priority in several new initiatives and development projects under the mid-term review by the Federal Government.

"The Sabah government is glad to note that the Federal Government continues to prioritise the development in the state through various projects and new initiatives in the middle of 12MP," he said in a statement on Monday (Sept 11).

Hajiji said Sabah is set to ensure the long-term resilience of the energy industry through the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Masterplan 2040, which will be launched soon.

When tabling the 12MP mid-term review, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Federal Government would hand over full regulatory power on gas and electricity supply to Sabah by January 2024.

Anwar also said a new project to build a renewable energy system and to upgrade the power supply grid at Gugusan Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu, at a cost of RM195mil would be implemented.

It will benefit not only the people in Sabah but also the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).

Also included were projects to refurbish dilapidated schools in Sabah, with 43 such projects currently underway in Sabah.

To provide equal healthcare in the Borneo States, Anwar also announced the construction of a regional blood centre in Sabah as well as a Public Health Laboratory and Food Quality and Safety Laboratory in Kuching, Sarawak.

Anwar also said 11 new transport and logistics projects have been introduced to ensure sustainable and resilient national infrastructure development, including constructing the Pan-Borneo Highway Sabah Phase 1B.