Muhyiddin praises GRS' commitment to Sabah and its people

 

PN Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he was pleased to see how well the GRS was administering the state despite only coming to power several months ago amidst a challenging environment. - Bernama pic

KOTA KINABALU: The Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal government has assured of its support to the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government.

PN Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he was pleased to see how well the GRS was administering the state despite only coming to power several months ago amidst a challenging environment.

"This is just the beginning. Hajiji had spoken about the state's ambition to launch the Sabah Maju Jaya Plan focusing on agriculture, industrial, and tourism among others," Muhyiddin said referring to Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

"This shows that Sabah has insightful leadership that knows the pulse of the people.

"To translate such planning into an outcome requires hard work and I would say GRS' commitment is at 110 per cent," said Muhyiddin who is also the Prime Minister at a dinner gathering with GRS leaders, here, tonight.

Also present were GRS deputy chairman and Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili as well as GRS deputy president and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, among others.

Muhyiddin praised Hajiji; Deputy Chief Minister and GRS deputy chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, as well as other GRS leaders for maintaining unity despite their political differences.

The prime minister assured the federal government will provide the necessary support to Sabah, noting the existing relationship between central and state must continue.

Noting that leading a government under a challenging situation was not easy, he reminded all leaders to continue working and not to forget the mandate provided by the people.

Earlier in his speech, Hajiji thanked Muhyiddin for his contribution to the formation of GRS and his commitment in assisting the GRS government to help the people.

He also expressed confidence over the commitment of GRS leaders which was shown through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) early this year.

"We will not let any element jeopardise GRS' cooperation. We are committed and this is the time for us to work as a team to bring progress to Sabah.

"I am comfortable with the assistance I received from the state cabinet in administering Sabah for the past six months.

"This challenging economy and pandemic requires us to move fast and rearrange our strategy to identify other sources to strengthen the economy," he said.

On the Sabah Maju Jaya Plan, Hajiji said it will be launched on March 29.

"We will work hard not only to ensure Sabah progresses but also its people. Its success can only be achieved if we have stable politics and government," he said.

Hajiji also thanked Muhyiddin for expediting negotiation between the state government and Petronas, adding the national oil and gas company has started paying five per cent sales tax of petroleum products.

Muhyiddin arrived here today for a two-day official visit via a special aircraft at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 6pm.

He was welcomed upon arrival by Hajiji and the three state deputy chief ministers, namely Bung Moktar, Kitingan and Datuk Joachim Gunsalam, as well as senior officials from federal and state departments and agencies.

The visit is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the state and federal governments, apart from facilitating comprehensive development planning for the Land Below the Wind.

The visit is the first by Muhyiddin since GRS, which comprises PN, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Bersatu Sabah, formed the Sabah government after the state election in September last year.

Tomorrow, Muhyiddin will attend a town hall session entitled "Prosper Together With Sabah 2030" at the Sabah State Administrative Centre and visit the Kota Kinabalu district Covid-19 vaccination centre at the Federal Government Administrative Complex.

The prime minister will then make a courtesy call on Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin at Istana Negeri, as well as attend the launch of the Lok Kawi Resort City project and a ceremony for the signing of an MoU on domestic and foreign investments at the Sabah International Convention Centre.

Muhyiddin will also meet the people in the Ziarah Prihatin programme involving the B40 income group here before returning to Kuala Lumpur in the evening. - NST