KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor wants Putrajaya to intensify the development of basic infrastructure and utilities in Sabah under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
The Chief Minister said these efforts must be given priority under 13MP as such developments were critically needed in the state.
“The provision of basic amenities such as electricity and clean water supplies, particularly in rural areas, is an important aspect in elevating the people’s standard of living,” he said on Thursday (Dec 19).
“This is besides ramping up activities to stimulate economic growth and investments.
“These are all vital to create a conducive environment for sustainable socioeconomic growth in Sabah,” he added.
Hajiji’s speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya during the federal-level 13MP Engagement Session with the Economy Ministry here.
The Chief Minister said that the significant development gap between urban and rural areas in Sabah needed to be solved through collective effort.
The state government, he said, believed that balanced development is key to the well-being of the people.
“This aligns with the state's aspirations to ensure that every citizen, regardless of their geographical location, can enjoy the benefits of the development being carried out," he said.
In this regard, Hajiji hoped that the Federal Government's initiatives to bridge the development gap between territories in the country and strengthen socio-economic development in Sabah, as implemented under the 12MP, would continue and be further enhanced in the 13MP.
"With the continued cooperation between the federal and state governments in realising this effort, I am confident that we can provide equal opportunities for all the people of Sabah to enjoy greater progress and prosperity," he added.
