RM10B INVESTOR CONFIDENCE VOTE

KENINGAU: The disclosure that Sabah pulled in the highest amount of private investments in the first quarter this year, by Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir at the Dewan Rakyat, is proof that investors are comfortable with the peaceful and stable atmosphere enjoyed by the State, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Besides this, the cooperation between the people from different communities and religions, are also among the major factors that have attracted investors to inject funds into driving further the state's economy, he said, Thursday.

"With the billions of ringgit invested in Sabah, it is clear that investors are at ease and very comfortable in the State.

"Therefore, we call on the people to always work together and join forces with the Barisan Nasional government to develop the country and state," he told reporters after checking on preparations for the launch of the Sabah Handicraft Centre which will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today.

Musa, who is also State Finance Minister, was asked to comment on Mukhriz's announcement that the private sector's investment in Sabah, worth RM10 billion, has made it the receiver of the highest investments amounts among the states, followed by Selangor, Johor, Sarawak dan Terengganu.

Except for Sabah attracting RM10b investments, the other states only managed to average about RM2b each.

Musa also said Najib's two-day working visit to the interior this weekend is significant because it will fulfil the wishes of the people who have longed to meet him.

Together with Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan who is also the Keningau MP and Tambunan Assemblyman, they told the Prime Minister about the wishes of the people here.

"They want to have a cordial and friendly meeting with him, so the visit (this time) is very important. The people are very happy," he said.

"We are also fortunate that the weather has been kind to us and we hope it will continue to prevail because the Prime Minister is meeting with the people in Keningau, Sook and Tambunan É I am very happy to see the strong cooperation among all those involved to make the Prime Minister's visit a success," he said.

On Saturday morning, Najib would officially open the RM32 million Sabah Handicraft Centre, which is located opposite the District Hospital before going to Sook for the ground-breaking ceremony of the proposed Keningau Integrated Livestock Centre project later in the afternoon.

On Saturday evening, Najib would be officiating at the national-level Kaamatan Festival open house at the Keningau Sports Complex.

Early Sunday morning, Najib would be doing two walkabouts and mingle with the local community at the weekly Tamu Ground here first and later at the Bingkor township.

After the walkabouts, Najib and entourage would be having a morning tea break at the Rumah Besar Bingkor of OKK Sedomon Gunsanad, the very house which his late father, Tun Razak had once visited to meet with the native community leaders during the early Malaysia days.

The Prime Minister's final programme in the interior would be the ground-breaking ceremony of the proposed KDM College project at the Pisompuruan Square in Tambunan.

Accompanying Musa for the final preparations inspection on Thursday were Pairin, DCM Datuk Yahya Hussin, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun, State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman as well as elected representatives from the interior.