BOOK....A coffee-table book chronicles the life and times of a reluctant Chief Minister.
WITH 390 pages, it’s heavy at 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs). Yet the colourful coffee-table book on Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman doesn’t quite do justice to his achievements – by the way such books go.
But 'Leading the way' has served its purpose. It chronicles the life and times of a leader in his own right who stands out as a reluctant politician who in nine short years has brought the resource-rich north Borneo island state onto the threshold of a high-income nation.
The book was launched by Juhar Mahiruddin, Sabah’s Head of State, with much fanfare before 1,000 dinner guests at the Magellen Sutera Resort on March 28; two days before Musa celebrated his 61st birthday.
Joseph Pairin Kitingan, his deputy, paid him a fitting tribute. He described him as a true Malaysian who puts aside racial differences to bring peace and prosperity to his 3.2m people who include Malays, indigenous Kadazan-Dusuns and Muruts, Bajaus, suluks and ethnic Chinese and Indians. Musa is a descendent of Kadazan-Dusuns, Malay and ethnic Chinese.
LAUNCHES....Juhar Mahiruddin, Sabah's Head of State (right), launches Musa's book as Joseph Pairin Kitingan (left) pays tribute to his chief minister.
“He knows that as Chief Minister, he cannot have any ethnic bias,” Pairin said of Musa, adding that it was a relief to him when the rotation of the chief ministership ended in 2003 as he took office. Musa could rid himself of the 'Muslim Bumiputra' tag that came with his office, according to Pairin.
Musa has been the most innovative chief minister with a remarkable foresight. So much so that he was ahead of his time when he launched the Sabah Development Corridor in 2008. It is to bring 105 billion ringgit ($34 billion) of investments and create 900,000 jobs over 18 years.
The SDC has thus given Sabah a head start when Prime Minister Najib Razak launched his massive 1.4-trillion ringgit economic transformation programme in 2010 that will make Malaysia a high income nation in eight years. Average income by 2020 will be about 48,000 ringgit compared to 26,500 ringgit now.
The economy was sluggish when Musa succeeded Chong Kah Kiat as Sabah’s 14th chief minister. But through his three-prong Halatuju economic plan in developing industries from agriculture, tourism and manufacturing to bring his state out of the backwaters of primary exports, Sabah has been chalking up large surpluses year after year.
Sabah’s economic spending has reached an all time high of 4 billion ringgit this year; made possible through prudent financial management and innovative income generation that have added to the state’s reserves of more than 3 billion ringgit. This has earned praise from Malaysia’s Auditor-General Ambrin Buang for 11 straight years.
As a conservationist, Musa is unrivalled as he is praised by Britain’s venerable Royal Society. He has put almost 4m hectares of pristine forests, slightly more than half the size of Sabah, in the Heart of Borneo for conservation.
But the greatest accolade has come from three prime ministers including Najib. They say, with hindsight, that they have made the right decision in having Musa as Sabah’s chief minister. (Insight Sabah- Pictures by Ille Tugimin)
(NOTES : Leading the way - Musa Aman is published by Spirits of Borneo Sendirian Berhad)
http://insightsabah.gov.my/article/read/1756
It is no doubt that he is a successful businessman and a capable leader. You can compare the Kota Kinabalu city 10 years ago as to the present state.
ReplyDeleteMy affirmation to the HALATUJU MAN! Over the last year, there were a number of programmes initiated by the Sabah State Government and the Federal Government, aimed at making the State a better place to live in. Both Federal and State government acknowledge that bridging the divide between rural and urban areas is important, and remains high on the agenda of the State Government as part of efforts to truly push for holistic development. It is the desire of the members of the State government to see every citizen included in development.
ReplyDeleteSabah remains committed in reducing poverty through a number of projects, building more roads and other important infrastructure like schools, apart from improving power and water supply in rural areas.The uncertain economic climate at global level in the past year was not lamented as an excuse to halt our efforts to develop Sabah. With the slow but sure recovery of the global economy, the State government will be able to strengthen their efforts to bring progress to the people, especially the poor.
DeleteThe State Budget that was tabled in November 2010 put aside a third of the RM3.07 billion allocation for developing much needed infrastructure and utilities. The Budget is a continuation of Sabah’s plan to achieve further development, and aims to complement several initiatives introduced by the Federal Government.
DeleteThese include the New Economic Model, National Key Results Area, Economic Transformation Programme and the subsequent National Key Economic Areas. To take part in Malaysia’s economic growth, Sabah must build its own capacities so that we are able to play an effective role in Malaysia’s overall development.
DeleteThe Tenth Malaysia Plan which starts this year is another continuous development programme that Sabah remains committed to, and is looking forward to implementing. The Sabah State Government will work with the Federal Government to carry out identified projects, and we will place emphasis through the Tenth Malaysia Plan to further improve livelihoods of certain segments of society, such as farmers, fishermen and livestock breeders.
DeleteEveryone in Sabah, especially civil servants who are directly involved in the implementation of the Tenth Malaysia Plan, to give their undivided support so that objectives and plans that have been outlined, can be met effectively, ensuring success of the whole initiative.
DeleteThe State Government Under the leadership of MUSA are already implementing programmes under the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) blueprint, which outlines in detail steps that Sabah is taking until 2025 to become a leading economic region with its strategic location, natural resources and clean environment. Tourism, one key driver of the SDC is growing, along with the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The State Government is on the right track and the hard working and committed people entrusted with the task of carrying out important projects, and those who provide support either from within or outside Government.
ReplyDeleteThe civil servants who have remained dedicated to their tasks will continue to contribute to strengthening the civil service. The private sector too have given thier share of contribution to the state and has continuously invested in the State, will increase in years to come, as envisaged by the Economic Transformation Programme.
DeleteThe State government will also continue to pay attention to providing education to the people of Sabah, it is a common knowledge that human capital development plays a key role in progress. There are a number of education institutes in the State, and the State Government are also setting up an education hub in Sandakan so that people on the east coast have an alternative if they do not wish to travel to Kota Kinabalu to pursue their education.
DeleteThe State government too is encouraging the people of Sabah to practice life-long learning, and this includes taking up diploma and degree courses at tertiary institutions on a part time basis. Sabah is blessed with natural resources and all must strive to add value to raw material, and this can only be done if we have knowledgeable and skilled workers.
DeletePolitical stability which is an important factor when we talk about development initiatives. Programmes planned by the State and Federal governments require political stability and cooperation of all political parties within the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. All elected representatives have also been reminded to reach out to grassroots and to find out problems that the people are facing.
Deletehis is in line with the 1Malaysia concept that the honourable Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak introduced after he took office. Through his 1Malaysia website and Facebook page, the Prime Minister himself is getting feedback from the people on what matters most to them. Positive steps like this will propel Malaysia forward.
DeleteDi bawah pimpinan Datuk Musa Aman Sabah banyak membangun dan semakin maju.
ReplyDeletebuku tersebut akan menjelaskan sumbangan Musa terhadap pembangunan Sabah.
ReplyDeleteIni adalah buku yang sangat berguna untuk kita. Ini menerangkan usaha Datuk Musa semenjak beliau menjadi KM sehinggalah kejayaan untuk Sabah.
ReplyDeletesumbangan2 kerajaan negeri dibawah pimpinan Datuk Musa Aman, jarang sekali mendapat liputan media.. apa sahaja yang berjaya dilaksanakan kerajaan, tidak didedahkan kepada rakyat.. sebab itu rakyat hanya mendengar yang buruk2 berkenaan dengan kerajaan seolah2 kerajaan tidak melakukan sesuatu untuk kebaikan negeri ini..
ReplyDelete