Hajiji being greeted by GRS members at Dataran Daerah Kecil Kemabong today.
TENOM: The State Government has alienated nearly 40,000 acres of state land from the Sabah Forest Industries (SFI) concession area to create kampung reserves, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
“The GRS State Government has gazetted these kampung reserves, proving that we are attentive to the needs of the people.
“At the last State Legislative Assembly sitting, we approved more than 40,000 acres of state land from SFI for this purpose,” he said when launching the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Kemabong election machinery at Dataran Daerah Kecil Kemabong here today.
Hajiji said that under the GRS-led State Government, land belonging to government-linked companies (GLCs) has also been alienated and given to the people.
“We want the people to live comfortably. Under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) initiative, one of its pillars is people’s prosperity — and that is why we prioritise the people’s welfare,” he said.
He noted that previously, there were only about 30,000 people listed as recipients of welfare assistance, but under the present State Government, that number has increased to 70,000.
Hajiji (seated, sixth left) with GRS leaders, election machinery members and supporters at Dataran Daerah Kecil Kemabong today.
Hajiji also said the State Government has gained significantly from the landmark Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) with PETRONAS, which has given Sabah greater authority and participation in the oil and gas industry.
“In the oil and gas services and equipment (OGSE) sector, we now have more than 80 local vendors involved in the industry compared to just 10 in 2022,” he said, adding that these vendors now command 36 percent of the contract market share.
The Chief Minister said that unlike the opposition, which practised “revenge politics” when in power, the GRS-led Government focuses on bringing development and progress through the Hala Tuju SMJ 1.0.
“If the people return the mandate to GRS, we will continue our development agenda under Hala Tuju SMJ 2.0.
“We are not playing politics or making empty promises. We have a clear development agenda, while the opposition are ready to promise even the moon and the sun,” he said.
Hajiji also confirmed Datuk Rubin Balang as the GRS candidate for the Kemabong seat in the upcoming 17th State Election on November 29.
“With a solid machinery and full support from voters in Kemabong, insya-Allah Datuk Rubin Balang will win again in this election,” he said.
