NGO calls for a Sabah recovery council headed by ex-CM Musa

 

G57 head Zulkarnain Mahdar said former chief minister Musa Aman was responsible for increasing the state’s reserves to RM3 billion in less than 10 years.

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah group has called on the state government to form a council to revive the economy in the state, and suggested that former chief minister Musa Aman lead it.

The Gerakan Kuasa Rakyat Malaysia (G57) proposed that a Sabah Economic Advisory Council be set up quickly to set things right after the “mess” left behind by the previous Warisan-led government.

G57 chairman Zulkarnain Mahdar said Musa was vastly experienced in managing the economy, having left an impressive track record as a former chief minister.

The proposed council would advise the Sabah government, help plan development programmes and attract foreign investors into the state, he said in a statement today.

“It is hoped that the government can persuade Musa to head this council as his experience is much needed by the state.”

Zulkarnain said during Musa’s administration, Sabah’s GDP was among the highest in Malaysia at 8.2%.

And under Musa’s leadership, Zulkarnain said, the state’s reserves increased to RM3 billion in less than 10 years.

He said when Musa succeeded Chong Kah Kiat as the chief minister on March 27, 2003, the reserves were only RM180 million.

He added Musa’s administration for 15 consecutive years also received a Triple A award from the National Audit Department for outstanding financial management.

He said Musa was also called the “architect and father of development of Sabah” and was also one of very few Sabahans to have owned a bank. - FMT