Tenom: The State Government has withdrawn nearly 40,000 acres from the Sabah Forest Industry (SFI) concession area to establish village reserves.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the GRS State Government had gazetted these village reserves, proving its responsiveness to the people’s needs.
“During the last State Legislative Assembly sitting, we approved more than 40,000 acres of government land from SFI for this purpose,” he said when launching the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) election machinery for Kemabong at Dataran Daerah Kecil Kemabong, here, Saturday.
Hajiji said under the GRS-led State Government, land owned by government-linked companies (GLCs) had also been allocated and distributed to the people.
“We want the people to live comfortably. Under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan, one of its pillars is the people’s prosperity, which is why we prioritise the people’s welfare,” he said.
He said previously only around 30,000 people were listed as welfare aid recipients, but under the GRS State Government the number has increased to 70,000.
Hajiji also said the State Government had secured significant benefits from the Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) with Petronas, whilst emphasising that Sabah now has a stronger voice and wider participation in the oil and gas industry.
“In the oil and gas services and equipment (OGSE) sector, there are now more than 80 local vendors involved in the oil and gas industry compared to just 10 in 2022,” he said, adding that these vendors now control 36 per cent of the contract market.
Hajiji said unlike the opposition which plays revenge politics when taking over government, the GRS-led government focuses on development and progress through the SMJ 1.0 roadmap.
“If the people give GRS the mandate again, we will continue development under the SMJ 2.0 roadmap. We do not play politics. We do not make empty promises. We have a development agenda, whereas the opposition is willing to promise the moon and stars,” he said.
Hajiji also confirmed Datuk Rubin Balang as the GRS candidate for the Kemabong seat in the 17th state election.
“With strong machinery and solid support from voters in Kemabong, God willing, Rubin will once again win this election,” he said.
