KIULU: Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai urged the people not to be misled by opposition claims that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led government was not doing enough to pursue Sabah’s 40 per cent constitutional entitlement.
Speaking during the Kaamatan celebration and engagement session with Native Court representatives and village heads on Thursday, Joniston said the State Government remained committed to securing the matter as soon as possible through consultation, engagement and maintaining harmonious ties with the Federal Government.
The GRS Information Chief said the approach had produced positive results, citing the increase in the Special Grant from RM53 million during the previous Warisan administration to RM600 million under the current GRS-led government.
He also said the State Government, under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, had secured a Commercial Collaboration Agreement with Petronas, which he described as a strategic move that generated billions of ringgit in returns for Sabah.
Meanwhile, Joniston announced the setting up of an independent panel to assess the performance and effectiveness of village heads in Kiulu, saying the panel would also receive complaints related to their conduct and report directly to the Kiulu assemblyman’s office.
