Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (left) with Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday (June 27).
KOTA KINABALU: More than RM14bil in allocations has been approved by Putrajaya for development projects in Sabah under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said these funds were approved under the Rolling Plan 1 (RP1) up to RP3.
He added that the allocation is to finance the implementation of 3,436 development projects through various ministries, including 1,181 new projects and extensions approved under RP3.
“The state government is grateful and appreciates the commitment of the Federal Government, which has approved a total of RM14.976bil in allocations.
"These projects will not only boost the development and economic growth of the state, but will also bring about prosperity and be for the well-being of the people,” he said.
Hajiji said this during the 12MP Midterm Review Engagement Session at the Sabah International Convention Centre here on Tuesday (June 27).
His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
Also present were Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and his delegation as well as members of the state administration, state and federal civil servants, industry players and representatives of civil society organisations.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said the state government expected a better economic recovery, with a positive growth forecast of 4% to 5% for 2022 and 2023.
This projection, he said, was in line with the government's commitment to continue the recovery momentum in all aspects to boost Sabah's economy.
According to him, this included efforts to speed up the implementation of development initiatives, especially high-impact projects and attracting more high-impact investments to Sabah.
"Despite being in an uncertain global and national economic situation, Sabah’s economy is currently on the right track towards recovery when it recorded a positive growth at a rate of 1.1% in 2021 compared to a contraction of 9.2% in the previous year.
"This achievement is supported by the state’s strong performance in trade following the increase in Sabah's export activities,” Hajiji said.
The Chief Minister said the development agenda presently implemented by the Sabah government was drawn up based on the State Development Strategic Direction under the 12MP to achieve the objective of “Malaysia Makmur, Inklusif, Mampan” (Prosperous, Inclusive and Sustainable Malaysia).
He assured the people that the state would ensure development projects and programmes were implemented according to schedule.
The state, he added, would continue to provide cooperation and support to the Federal Government in order to make the implementation of the 12MP a success.
Deputy public prosecutor Nor Fadilah Johanuddin prosecuted while lawyer Baharudin Baharim represented the accused.
It is learnt that the accused will face similar charges involving the same victim in Pahang, Kuala Lumpur and Kedah.
