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PUTATAN: Coordination and collaboration between Federal and State are vital to empower Sabah’s education, health and security, said former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin.

Muhyiddin said he is aware that these three portfolios are under the jurisdiction of Federal Government but there are issues that could be addressed at State level.

“Yes, we emphasize the issue of security for Sabahans. The Federal government has a role, but the State government can also help. What I mentioned earlier is a commitment by the state government. I know that we already know the issues that the Federal and State have, but the joint efforts that must be made to improve the security of the state of Sabah are very important.

“Because Sabah may have a fairly long coastline near neighboring countries, there are certain security issues. We want to ensure Sabahans are not affected by robbery, piracy, security issues,” he said, after the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Tawaran Kasi Bagus Sabah manifesto launch.

The manifesto comprised 12 main pillars with 159 offers to help empower Sabahans for the next five years should the coalition form the State Government.

The 12 pillars of the PN manifesto:

1: Kasi Bagus Hak Sabah (Sabah Rights Empowerment)

• The coalition will honour the Sabah’s rights as per the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63) and fight for the 40% State revenue to be returned to the people of Sabah.
• A sovereign wealth fund with a staged initial capital of RM10 billion will be introduced as Sabah Future Funds (SFF)

2: Kasi Bagus Urus Tadbir Sabah (Sabah Administration Empowerment)

• The coalition is committed to establishing a government that fulfils its responsibilities through utmost integrity, prioritizes the people’s welfare, provide necessary annual allocations to every assemblyman (regardless of party) and provide channel for people to lodge complaints over embezzlement.

3: Kasi Bagus Infrastruktur Sabah (Sabah Infrastructure Empowerment)

• To implement Sabah Infrastructure Reset Plan (PRIN) that has a start-up fund of RM3billion to address water and electricity supply as well as proper road maintenance with immediate effect along with the facilitation of the Sabah Pan-Borneo Highway construction process.
• The infrastructure improvement would also include communication, ports and a comprehensive flood mitigation plan with special funds or RM500million.

4: Kasi Bagus Ekonomi Sabah (Sabah Economy Empowerment)

• PN will do its utmost to increase employment opportunities, develop new industries, and reap the benefits that the people throughout Sabah will experience first hand that includes tourism industry enhancement, making the State a high-quality food hub and empowering fishing communities.
• A special ministry will also be established to manage Sabah minerals through its Sabah Mineral Masterplan and at the same time restructure Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd’s role.

5: Kasi Bagus PMKS Sabah (Sabah Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Empowerment)

• The Skim Bangkit Niaga Bayu (SBNB) with a micro credit of RM300million will be introduced and allocated to women entrepreneurs (RM100million), youth entrepreneurs (RM100million) and other applicants (RM100million)
• An allocation of RM20million will also be provided small entrepreneurs along with the introduction of Sabah Digital Mentor Programme with allocation of RM30million aimed at grooming some 3,000 micro, small and medium enterprises.

6: Kasi Bagus Kesejahteraan Rakyat Sabah (Sabahan’s Well-being Empowerment)

• Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat Sabah with a grant of RM4,800 per year will be distributed to poor and needy families along with a better health access for all Sabahans as well as free insurance scheme worth RM15,000 for chronic diseases, permanent disabilities and death due to injuries.
• Sabah Dialysis Bank worth RM20 million will be established along with first children’s hospital and housing schemes for Sabahans

7: Kasi Bagus Anak Muda Sabah (Sabah Youth Empowerment)

• Youth funds of RM100million will be allocated to help youths venture into agriculture, tourism, sports and drone piloting.

8: Kasi Bagus Wanita Sabah (Sabah Women Empowerment)

• PN will give attention to women development in Sabah by introducing the Sabah Professional Women (PWS) programme to help women be entrepreneurs as well as funds for maternity, and children’s early education. 
• This would also include aids for single mothers and widows to help them in their everyday lives.

9: Kasi Bagus Pendidikan Sabah (Sabah Education Empowerment)

• RM300million allocations for primary and secondary students, allowances for higher education such as Degree, Diploma, Foundation, Matriculation and STPM as well as free education access to University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) dan Kolej Teknologi Yayasan Sabah (KYTS) for the next five years.

10: Kasi Bagus Warga Emas Sabah (Sabah Senior Citizens Empowerment)

• PN will increase the numbers of senior citizens activity centres in Sabah with aids of RM5,000 annually provided, introduce economic programme and Silver Sabah Village (SSV) for senior citizens in need.

11: Kasi Bagus Kelestarian Sabah (Sabah Sustainability Empowerment)

• An allocation of RM30million will be channelled to establish a modern waste management in Sabah along with the setting up of Sabah Nature Protection Foundation for environmental preservation.

12: Kasi Bagus Keselamatan Sabah (Sabah Security Empowerment)

• Strengthening collaboration between state government and authorities such as police, military, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Immigration Department and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to ensure tighter security within the State while at the same time address the illegal immigrant’s issue.