SANDAKAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Sabah needs a stable government to ensure the best possible development and assured that his Madani Government will continue to give due attention to the state.
He said the federal government is always attentive to the needs of the people of Sabah and Sarawak, including lower diesel prices compared to Peninsular Malaysia, as well as other necessities.
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“Therefore, to ensure continued development, we need a stable state and federal government that works for the prosperity of the people. This includes resolving water and electricity issues in Sabah,” he said, at the Prime Minister’s Friendly Session with Sandakan Youths at the Sim-Sim Futsal Court, Wednesday.
Present were PH candidates for the Tanjong Papat seat, who is also Sandakan MP, Vivian Wong Shir Yee and Elopura seat, Tang Szu Ching. Anwar said the Unity Government led by Pakatan Harapan (PH) channelled the most aid to Sabah and the people of the state.
He said throughout the administration of the Madani Government, Sabah has also been among the states receiving the largest allocation for the construction of various facilities, including schools.
“So, mothers with children, please remember this. Many schools have been built (in Sabah) since we took power. It’s okay to be a little angry, and it’s okay to criticise... I am not angry because I understand that sometimes people are still struggling.
“But, don’t say that we haven’t helped. This Pakatan Harapan government has helped the people of Sabah the most,” he said.
Therefore, Anwar, who is also the President of PKR, said the people of Sabah need to give their support to PH in the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17) on Saturday so that the party will have a stronger voice to continue looking after the welfare of the state’s people.
“That is why I ask for support for both PH candidates in the Elopura seat, Vivian Wong Shir Yee, and the candidate for the Tanjung Papat seat, Tang Szu Ching,” he said.
Touching on the demand for 40 percent of Sabah’s revenue, he guaranteed that the issue would be resolved, and the government is committed to fulfilling that promise.
“We have promised, we will execute it. This is not just talk like the previous government, we will do it,” he said.
He said he also wants cooperation between the state and federal governments to be further strengthened. This, he noted, will help facilitate assistance and the disbursement of allocations to the state.
Anwar said mature politics is needed to ensure that the aspirations of the people can be fulfilled, along with leadership that does not think only of personal interests.
Anwar, who had just returned from a working visit to Africa, also shared how people there expressed admiration for Malaysia as a peaceful country with diversity in race and background, living harmoniously.
“This is the uniqueness we have in Malaysia — living peacefully amid our diversity,” he said.
Earlier, in Szu Ching’s speech in the event, she said the voices of young people will certainly be brought to the State Legislative Assembly if she is elected as the representative for Tanjong Papat.
Vivian, meanwhile, said extremist politics should not be practised during campaigning, as what should be highlighted are the people’s aspirations, including access to clean water and other basic needs.
During Anwar’s brief visit to Sandakan, he also attended an informal session at the Karamunting District Polling Center (PDM), the Keadilan Operations Room for the Karamunting state seat, which was also attended by Batu Sapi MP Datuk Firdaus Akbar Khan and PH’s Karamunting candidate Datuk George Hiew Vun Zin.
Anwar later attended a Meet-and-Greet and Dinner with the Chinese Community of the Karamunting and Elopura state constituencies at the Hakka Hall in Sandakan.
