WHAT ABOUT THE 15 YEARS AFTER MAHATHIR RETIRED – WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? ZAHID APOLOGISES TO SABAH, SARAWAK FOLK FOR DR M’S ’22 YEARS OF NEGLECT’

SIMUNJAN – Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today extended his heartfelt apology on behalf of the Federal government to the people of Sabah and Sarawak, who have endured severe delays in development, especially in the rural areas, for decades.

The deputy prime minister said, had past leaders, namely Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, given attention to the development in the two states throughout his 22 years in power, the development of Sabah and Sarawak would have by now matched those of other states.

He said the Federal administration led by Datuk Seri Najib Razak has admitted the mistake and is making amends for the failure of the previous leader, by implementing various developments in the two states over the last nine years.

“We (Federal leadership) admit that the rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak are still far behind, and we apologise for what was done by the former longest-serving prime minister.

“This is why, since Datuk Seri Najib began helming the government, we have accelerated the development in the two states,” he said at a meet the people gathering in Simunjan, here on Monday.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan who represented Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg; Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, and Deputy Home Minister Datuk Masir Kujat.

Zahid said among the infrastructure necessary to accelerate growth in the interior is a network of roads to connect small towns and rural areas to major highways.

This is why, when we built the Pan Borneo Highway, we also ensured that the small towns were connected to the highway. This can boost their economy and infrastructure facilities can be channeled, thus speeding up the growth process so sought after by the people of these two states,” he said.

He said, to ensure that the people benefit from a complete development, the Najib administration practices a specific system which does not need the elected representatives to call for a particular infrastructure development project.

“This mechanism utilises the meetings of component parties in order to establish what the people need without the need to wait for letters from elected representatives, especially the opposition.

“This mechanism has helped us identify the needs and wants of each area,” he said.

Zahid, in his visit, also surveyed the condition of the Simunjan district police headquarters, which is in a dilapidated state and is frequently hit by floods.

– NST