MUSA UNVEILS SABAH BN MANIFESTO

CHEERS....(From left to right) Datuk Gordon Leong Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Datuk V Jothi, Tan Sri Datuk Joseph Pairin, Datuk Musa Aman, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Datuk Liew Vui Keong.

By : M. IZHAM B. HASHIM AND SHALINA R

SABAH Barisan Nasional (BN) rolled out a comprehensive 16-point manifesto today, outlining a strategic agenda, pledging a strong and stable government that would ensure greater progress and prosperity.

Stressing Barisan Nasional’s proven track-record in governing the state; State BN Chief Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the ruling coalition needed a bigger mandate in the upcoming 13th General elections to implement the variety of developmental programs planned for the state.

“Our manifesto does not make farfetched promises; instead, it is comprehensive, relevant, practical and realistic which addresses the core issues facing the state,” he said after launching the state manifesto. With him were  other leaders of BN component parties at the UMNO headquarters.

The BN manifesto highlighted the ruling coalition’s commitment towards resolving Sabah’s illegal immigrant problem, and offers to speed up solutions on native land matters.

Sabah Barisan also pledges to protect the spirit of the 20-point Malaysia Agreement of 1963 while promising to strengthen efforts to ensure the people’s participation in the decision-making process at all levels of civil society.

Moving on to poverty eradication, Barisan Nasional Sabah plans to cut poverty rate in the state by 3% within five years by implementing more high-impact transformation projects designed to help local communities become self-reliant and beat poverty.

In addition, the manifesto also aims to raise living standards of the local communities in remote areas by improving and expanding road connections especially in the interior region to spur socioeconomic growth.

On the subject of federal allocations, Musa said the Barisan coalition would ensure that Sabah would continue to receive special funds from the Federal Government to finance operational and development expenses. He said such allocations had exceeded what would have been the 20 percent share of the oil revenue gained.

The manifesto also contained Barisan’s commitment to safeguard the spirit of Sabah’s 20 Point Malaysia Agreement of 1963. There is also a pledge to combat corruption, improve transparency and effective governance at all levels of the civil service.

SUPPLEMENTARY ....Sabah BN manifesto and supplementary bulletin is available in four languages namely Malay, English, Mandarin and KadazanDusun.

“In our pursuit to build a better future for the people and the next generation, the government is committed to bring greater development in the next term.

"Our 16-point manifesto is symbol of our commitment to bring holistic development for Sabah and reflects our endeavor to address issues that are close to the hearts of the people,” he said.

He said the manifesto is available in English, Malay, Mandarin and KadazanDusun and would be distributed to the public during campaigning.

Also present during the event include all BN candidates contesting in the elections namely Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan; United Pasokmomogun KadazanDusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok; State BN Secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Datuk VK Liew. (Insight Sabah)