KOTA KINABALU: As critical
partners in nation building, opposition assemblymen also have a duty, role and
responsibility similar to the government to uphold the practice of
constitutional democracy as well as to adhere to the law, said Pantai Manis
Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail, yesterday.
To this, he suggested that
the opposition take the time to know about the objectives and achievements of
the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC).
"Because I believe
everyone in this State, irrespective of ethnicity and political beliefs, will
enjoy together the fruits from government initiatives," he said when
debating in support of the Head of State's policy speech.
Hence, he hoped that Sabah
opposition assemblymen create a conducive political environment that is constructive.
He said they should not
emulate their counterparts in the peninsula who seemed keen on disuniting the
people.
He said they should see the
function and responsibility of the opposition in a wider context especially in
fighting for the plight of the people.
"I am not trying to
teach a duck how to swim, but I am of the opinion that the fate and future of
the people and nation, especially in Sabah, will not change as long as we don't
put to practice good politicking," he said.
An example of negative
politicking, he said, is the statement by a senior opposition leader in the
peninsula blaming the BN Government for the boat tragedy in Sungai Belaga,
Sarawak, recently.
Such statement, he said, is
not only too naive but also sweeping in nature and irresponsible but clearly
reflected the level of maturity in the thinking of an experienced politician.
Rahim said the time has come
for lawmakers in the country, especially the opposition to prioritise
discussion or presentation that uphold the objective and democratic idealism
and higher political maturity.
If this is achieved, he
said, they could leave a leadership legacy that is dynamic, responsible and
with integrity to the younger generation.
On civil servants, he urged
them to be more focused on their respective responsibility and commitment to
ensure that the target and Key Performance Index (KPI) is achieved fully.
They all should face the
challenges and barriers collectively, effectively with wisely, he said.
"I believe that if the
leaders, civil servants and private sector pool their energy to strengthen the
firm cooperation and play their role effectively, efforts to spur development
will be more effective," he said.
He said, this in turn would
create a conducive situation to attract foreign and domestic investors to
invest in the state.
And when the programmes and
development agenda at the State and Federal levels are successfully
implemented, it would stimulate the state's economy towards generating high income
among the people.
"This is our best
opportunity and chance to ensure the success of the development's agenda,"
he said. (DE)
The federal government’s management and development expenditure in Sabah amounted to RM9, 083.43 million(2012), an increase of RM926.49 million (11%) compared to RM8,156.94 million in 2011.
ReplyDeleteWith a close relationship between the state and central governments, we believe the federal government will provide more development allocations for Sabah.
ReplyDeleteBased on information received from the Accountant General Department (Sabah), Musa said the total revenue for the federal government from the state in 2012 was RM4, 429.53 million.
ReplyDeleteOf this total, about 69.6 per cent or RM3, 085 million was the collection of the Federal Ministry of Finance, in particular the Inland Revenue Board. About 18.5 per cent or RM818.5 million was the collection of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, while the rest were from the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Immigration and other federal departments.
ReplyDeleteAccording to records of the Accountant General Department (Sabah), revenue collection has increased by RM683.44 million (18%) compared to RM3, 746.09 million in 2011.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the oil royalty rate is set at five per cent, the state government has enjoyed increased payments from RM365.4 million in 2007 to RM941.25 million in 2012, each based on the production of 28,156,504 barrels in 2007 and 49,737,978 barrels in 2012-Musa
ReplyDeleteThe state government has a more orderly and consensus approach in addressing these issues.For example, Petronas has invested in the state through the development of Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGIT). The construction of SOGIT backed by the 300 Megawatt Combined-cycled Gas Power Plant in Kimanis is intended to increase electricity generation capacity to accommodate growing demand.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, through the assistance and cooperation of the federal government and Petronas, the state government is also developing oil and gas-based industries, known as the “Sipitang Oil and Gas Industry Park (SOGIP).
ReplyDeleteOn the calls for increased allocation for the purpose of religious development in the state, Musa said the state government had never neglected the issue of religious development as a whole.
ReplyDeleteEach year, adequate allocation is always made available for such purpose.