Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says Pakatan Harapan respects the Sabah election result and will intensify efforts to resolve legacy development problems
SINGAPORE: Pakatan Harapan (PH) respects the decision of Sabah’s voters in the recent state election, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Anwar, who is also PH chairman, acknowledged that development legacy issues and sentiment towards the Federation influenced voter inclinations.
He said the federal government had channelled large amounts of aid for road, water and electricity projects, but several remained incomplete.
“This is a legacy issue that needs to be fixed,” Anwar told a press conference after the 12th Annual Leaders’ Retreat.
He noted that basic issues like electricity, water and connectivity still plague people in villages, interior areas and urban centres.
This contributes to a perception that the Federation is not fulfilling its development promises, he added.
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) won 29 of the 73 state seats in the 17th Sabah election.
Parti Warisan secured 25 seats, followed by Barisan Nasional with six and Independents with five.
UPKO won three seats, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku secured two, while Perikatan Nasional, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat and PH each won one seat.
Anwar stressed the government would intensify engagement with the Sabah state government to resolve development issues in stages.
Commenting on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), he said the government always seeks to resolve issues through negotiations.
He said this includes talks at various levels while considering public sentiment towards the state’s heritage.
Anwar informed that some responsibilities, like electricity supply management, have been handed to the Sabah state government.
The federal government has added an allocation of RM1.2 billion to ensure critical projects can continue, he said.
“When these projects are completed, we hope that they will shift support,” he said.
The government remains committed to resolving development issues and basic services for Sabahans, Anwar concluded. – Bernama
