KOTA KINABALU: Sabah must remain focused on reducing the development gap it is facing with other states in the country, Yang DiPertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman said in his National Day, Sabah Day 2025 message.
"As we look ahead, I hope to see the development gap between Sabah and other parts of the nation narrow through well-planned policies and effective socio-economic initiatives.
"We must remain steadfast in our efforts to uplift the quality of life for all Malaysians in Sabah.
"I also remind the state civil service of its responsibility to ensure that all planned projects and programmes are implemented promptly and without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, always prioritising the interests of the people," he said in his message on Sunday (Aug 31).
He also hoped that Sabah would continue to enjoy political stability, as it was a crucial factor in attracting foreign direct investment and talent to help drive economic growth and further progress for the people and the state.
He urged Sabahans to continue working hand in hand to elevate the state and nation to greater heights as they marked the twin celebration in an environment of peace, unity, and progress.
He said Sabah has always been proud of the unity and harmony it contributes to the nation and urged people to safeguard this unity and reject attempts by certain quarters to sow hatred through lies and slander.
"It is deeply concerning that such hatred is increasingly spread on social media, where content is often taken out of context and shared repeatedly, causing unease among the public without verification from the proper authorities or sources.
"As we progress into the era of advanced information technology and artificial intelligence, we must remind ourselves that we still have a responsibility to ensure that whatever information we share must be the truth and nothing but the truth," he said.
"As Malaysians, we must support one another and uphold mutual respect for our fellow citizens, regardless of race, religion, or state of origin.
"We must embrace the reality that each individual is unique, and that our cultural diversity is a source of strength. Sabah, with its rich tapestry of ethnicities and traditions, has long been a shining example of unity in diversity.
"Our harmonious coexistence is our strength, and we must not allow it to be weakened by divisive calls that lead to disharmony," he added.
