SEVERAL long-standing issues in the Federal Territories were progressively addressed during her two-year tenure as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), says Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
The issues include action against entrenched bazaar cartels and efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty, she said.
In a statement, Dr Zaliha said firm measures had been taken to dismantle bazaar cartels that had for years pressured small traders and micro entrepreneurs.
“While the implementation of the Program Usaha Jaya Insan (PUJI) enabled the Madani government in the federal territories to end hardcore poverty through a targeted and data-driven approach.
“Economic empowerment initiatives in Labuan were also advanced, particularly in tourism and connectivity, with the resumption of the Labuan–Kota Kinabalu express ferry service and the feasibility study for the Labuan–Menumbok Bridge now in the implementation phase,” she said.
Dr Zaliha also congratulated Hannah Yeoh, who was appointed as her successor, and said that she appreciated the officers and staff of the Federal Territories Department and its agencies for their commitment and cooperation throughout her tenure.
She said that she was confident that Yeoh would continue to advance the development agenda for the well-being of the people.
Dr Zaliha also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the trust placed in her, adding that she would continue to give her full support to the government’s reform agenda and to the newly appointed Cabinet for the benefit of the nation and its people.
