Government Heeds States’ Requests in Setting RMK13 Project Priorities: Anwar
PENAMPANG – The Federal Government consistently considers the needs and requests of individual states when determining project priorities under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He clarified that project priorities are not unilaterally decided by the Federal Government, but instead are jointly determined with state governments after their requests are heard and given due attention by federal leadership.
Citing Sabah as an example, Anwar said that during nearly every working visit to the state, meetings or discussions are held between leaders and senior federal and state officials to directly address the state government’s requests.
“For RMK13 projects, I’m not saying nothing is happening. In the past, requests were filtered by federal ministries… but now, these requests are discussed directly in meetings chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Chief Minister and state ministers present.
“We listen directly and give full attention. This is only possible because of alignment, close and good relations, and mutual trust,” he said during the official launch of the Sabah State-Level Kaamatan Festival here today.
The event, held at Dewan Hongkod Koisaan, Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), was also attended by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, and KDCA President Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
Anwar expressed his appreciation to Hajiji and the Sabah state government for their openness in working collaboratively with federal leaders and the government in efforts to advance and elevate the status of both Malaysia and Sabah.
The Prime Minister emphasized that building Sabah’s strength must be rooted in strong unity between the federal and state governments within the framework of a federal nation.
As such, he cautioned all parties against raising issues that could damage this good relationship solely for political mileage, particularly ahead of the upcoming Sabah state election (PRN).
“In the heat of election season… leaders who have previously governed, sometimes forget and stir political tensions by raising issues that undermine public confidence in the nation—this is unhealthy,” he said.
Anwar noted that while the Federal Government and the states—especially Sabah and Sarawak—possess a wide range of diversity and differences, this should be seen as a strength of Malaysia as a nation for the benefit of its people.
He pointed out that when Malaysia was formed, the national motto “Unity is Strength” (Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu) was chosen to underscore the importance of unity amid diversity in strengthening the country.
“Diversity can also destroy a nation… there are countries in the world that initially embraced racial and religious diversity, but later fell into conflict among ethnicities, religions, and regions. Can any country succeed under such conditions? All collapse.
“So no matter how tough or difficult it gets, wise leaders campaigning for state or parliamentary seats must remember—do not sacrifice the state and this country,” the Prime Minister stressed.
— BERNAMA
