Kuala Lumpur: The Federal Government recognises the frustrations felt by Sabahans and does not hold them responsible for their anger over long-standing failures to address basic infrastructure issues in the State.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the public’s anxiety and lack of confidence were understandable, despite Sabah receiving the largest allocation in its history, totalling RM17 billion in development and operating expenditure.
“As a human being, I understand why people are angry. They say that prime ministers, ministers and government change over time, yet the water supply remains unresolved, electricity connections are still inadequate and the roads are riddled with potholes.
”So they feel anxious and unconvinced. I do not blame them, even though the Federal Government has approved the largest funding ever, with nearly RM1 billion allocated for water and RM1.2 billion for electricity.
“But with projects in Sabah still incomplete and the people having felt marginalised for so long, we can understand their frustrations,” he said in his speech during the Works Ministry’s monthly assembly, Monday.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
Commenting further, Anwar said he refused to adopt the mindset of certain politicians who become resentful simply because they feel they are not supported.
He added that having personally endured difficult and painful experiences gave him a deeper sense of empathy for the struggles faced by ordinary people.
“That is why I do not take such an attitude and then get angry. I do not. I try to understand.
“This is the good that comes from going through hardship. You understand better and can empathise with the suffering of others,” he said.
He also said during his recent visit to Sabah, he had assured the State that Putrajaya would closely monitor the state of essential services and the implementation of development programmes.
Anwar had previously said Sabah has received the highest development allocation among all Malaysian states under the Unity Government, reflecting Putrajaya’s commitment to ensuring balanced national development.
He said the Federal Government had allocated RM17.3 billion to the Sabah Government in 2025 and RM17.6 billion for 2026.
On Saturday, he announced that Putrajaya will ensure monthly coordination meetings to monitor the progress of major development projects, stressing the need for timely execution.
Meanwhile, Anwar also reflected on the country’s political stability over the past three years, noting that it must be fully utilised to implement programmes that benefit the people.
He said the country’s political stability has enabled the Government to achieve positive economic growth, reduce unemployment and record the highest level of foreign investment in history.
He, however, said there were still some shortcomings that needed to be addressed to ensure the country can achieve even greater success.
“It does not mean we are downplaying the efforts already made, but we must recognise that there is room for improvement.”
