KOTA KINABALU: Sabah PPBM chairman Hajiji Noor has urged the federal government to commit itself to making good on pledges contained in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s manifesto for the state elections two months ago.
Hajiji said there was a joint responsibility to ensure that election promises are met. “This will subsequently put in motion the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan which will be announced by the GRS government soon,” he said.
Speaking in support of PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin’s policy speech at the party’s general assembly today, Hajiji said: “The mandate must not be left to go to waste.”
Hajiji, who is Sabah’s chief minister, said the state needed more help from the federal government to bridge the gaps in economic and social development compared to the rest of the country.
“However, we are worried the Covid-19 pandemic will further widen the existing gaps,” he said.
Hajiji urged the party to focus on looking after pribumi (native) interests and upholding the special position of Sabahans as stated in federal law.
He also called for the setting up of a third wing in the party for young women as only 20% of the women members in the party were below 30 years old.
Hajiji said the lower voting age of 18 would bring almost 1.5 million new voters. “This means there will be 7.8 million young voters, with 25% of them women who are under 30.”