Sabah CM Hajiji Noor expects the 40% revenue grant to be finalised soon, citing strong state-federal ties and outlining new development plans
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is confident the long-standing issue of the 40% special grant for the state will be finalised soon.
He attributed this optimism to the strong relationship between the Sabah and Federal governments.
Hajiji said the state government continues to uphold Sabah’s rights while also safeguarding national interests.
“I am confident that strong relations will bring many benefits,” he said at the ‘Sentuhan MADANI’ programme.
“This includes finalising the Federal Government’s obligation on the payment of the 40% revenue return for Sabah, which we hope can be concluded soon for our mutual good.”
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also attended the event at the Sabah International Convention Centre.
Hajiji outlined that state development from next year will be guided by the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 roadmap.
This plan includes establishing three new industrial parks to attract investors.
The parks are a Blue Economy Industrial Park in Kudat, an Oil and Gas Industrial Park in Beaufort, and a High-Tech and Semiconductor Industrial Park between Kota Belud and Kota Marudu.
He said this reflects the state’s commitment to elevating Sabah’s standing over the next five years.
“Every plan implemented must focus on the people’s well-being, whether directly or indirectly, through economic growth and job opportunities,” he said.
The state will also build 50 Rumah Mesra SMJ units in each constituency to assist the poor.
It will provide monthly financial aid of RM300 for 100,000 recipients next year.
New assistance for senior citizens aged 60 and above without fixed income will be introduced.
Incentives for first-home deposit financing will also be rolled out.
Hajiji said the state will double efforts to upgrade basic infrastructure, with over RM1.2 billion allocated for water supply from mid-next year.
He thanked Anwar for the RM765 million federal allocation to complete the Sabah Southern Link project.
This project will connect the West Coast and East Coast electricity grids to address power disruptions. – Bernama
