TAWAU: Sabah has the potential to become a developed state through close cooperation between the Federal and state governments in championing the people’s welfare, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In line with this, the Prime Minister gave his assurance to make every effort to realise that aspiration and subsequently provide a better life for the people in the state.
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Anwar said it was normal for any state to request allocations for development, and such matters could be discussed amicably and harmoniously between the Federal and state governments.
“This is normal, but not through hostility or condemnation. We negotiate and find good solutions, choose elected representatives who can voice our interests, not divide us.
“This is my message: if we love our country and love our state, we must strengthen our unity. We should also be thankful to Allah, grateful that we live in peace, without war or political conflict,” he said when officiating at the closing ceremony of the Sabah Madani Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 at the Tawau Municipal Council Square here Sunday (May 11).
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Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
Meanwhile, Anwar rebuked leaders who had held high-ranking positions, including in Parliament, but often spoke of developing Sabah through confrontation with the Peninsula or the Federal Government.
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“The Peninsula will not progress, Sarawak will not progress, Sabah will not progress if we do not unite and work together to uplift this nation. We must truly understand this.
“Look at other countries – every day there is news of division between races, between regions, between religions. Why? Because leaders incite division, and when they have power, they do not think about the people,” he said.
He said these leaders, when entrusted with power and responsibility by the people to govern the country, Parliament and the government, failed to do what was necessary, and instead, after losing power, sought to divide the people. – Bernama
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