Sabah economy stronger if 40% revenue kept

KOTA KINABALU - Sabah will be on a stronger economic footing if 40% of revenues derived from the state are kept here instead of flowing into Malaya, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah president Datuk Lajim Ukin said.

He said the billions of ringgit could be used to stimulate development in Sabah such as urgently needed infrastructure projects that would benefit the business community and people alike.

Lajim said this was the reason Gabungan Sabah had made it a priority in its election manifesto for the state to keep these revenues that were now being channeled to Kuala Lumpur.

He said among the most urgent infrastructure issues was the need to improve public transport, especially within the Kota Kinabalu area.

“While the Barisan Nasional is hesitant in resolving the public transport issues in Kota Kinabalu, a GS state government will get cracking on an overall solution that includes a light rail transit system,” he said.

Lajim said if the Sarawak government could push for an LRT project on its own without having Malaya’s blessings, there is no reason the GS-led state government could not do it as well.

“This is what comes from an autonomous Sabah that GS is pursuing instead of having to refer to Malaya for any decision because the political masters are there,” he added.

He said GS was also addressing Sabah’s security issues in our manifesto through the issuance of the Sabah identity card that would weed out foreigners who are living in the state with dubious documents.

“These are some of the issues that are close to the hearts of the Chinese we are confident the community will back us in this election,” said Lajim.

Lajim, the Klias State Assemblyman, said he understood the needs of Chinese community growing up and living among them in Beaufort all these years.

“As state minister and Federal deputy minister, I’ve made it a point to seek the views of the Chinese community and these have been proven to be invaluable,” he added.

Lajim also voiced his concern about the harmony among Sabah’s diverse communities would be threatened if Malaya-based parties continued to be in power in Sabah.

“Malaya based-parties with their divisive culture will undermine the harmony among Sabahans and they don’t care as long they come into power,” he said.