# Hajiji’s advice to the people for more vibrant development, in line with SMJ’s development plan
MENUMBOK: Sabahans are being asked to give a mandate to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to enable the government to continue with the development programmes planned in the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the new mandate through the 17th Sabah general election was important to ensure the continuation of the state’s more vibrant development under SMJ 2.0.
He said that SMJ 1.0, which began in 2021, recorded proud achievements in terms of the implementation of various initiatives outlined by the government, the results of which are already visible and enjoyed by the people.
“Give us a new mandate and we will continue with more vigorous development under the SMJ 2.0 Roadmap for the state of Sabah.
“The first phase of the SMJ 1.0 Roadmap 2021-2025 has been successfully implemented, but more will be implemented for the continuity of state development,” he said.
He said this at the launch of the Kuala Penyu District and Menumbok Sub-District Development Strategic Plan Book 2025 – 2035, the handover of the Sabah Maju Jaya House Keys, the inauguration of the Menumbok District Nur Ihsan Mosque, the handover of the Land Gazette and the presentation of aid from the Limus Jury Foundation at the Menumbok Town Visitor Centre, on Thursday.
In this regard, Hajiji, who is also the GRS Chairman, reminded the people of this state not to be influenced by the rhetoric or speeches of opposing party leaders who often attack the GRS-led government with various unfounded accusations, including allegations that the government has failed.
Instead, he asked the people of Sabah to see the success achieved by GRS over the past five years in restoring the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic and facing political instability since taking over the government five years ago.
For that reason, he said there was no reason not to choose GRS again in the 17th Sabah DU GE because much had been achieved and enjoyed by the people and needed to be continued for the continued good of the people and the state of Sabah.
“It would be a loss if the people do not elect the GRS government again. We focus on helping our people, while others are only good at lying, slandering and making various promises but without results, that’s their job (opposing parties).
“So let’s not be influenced by them. They were given a long opportunity in the previous government, and were even ministers for many years, but what did they do?”
“Now they say the GRS government failed, what failed, our current problems were inherited from them. What did they do when they were the Minister of Rural Affairs, water was not completed, electricity, rural roads were not completed, why blame the government today,” he said.
The Chief Minister reiterated the achievements of his government that had never been achieved by previous governments, including the influx of many domestic and foreign investors as a result of the investor-friendly approach implemented by the GRS government.
He said dozens of local and foreign companies have come to invest in various sectors including tourism in Sabah, which has not only boosted the economy but also opened up many job opportunities.
“We also help the poor people in the villages because when we collect a lot of revenue, we give it back to the people and this year, approximately 100,000 poor people received assistance of RM300 a month.
“Through the Welfare Department, we help 70,000 people, including people with disabilities (OKU) and the elderly, with monthly assistance, previously only 30,000 people.
“That’s not enough, we are providing SMJ Friendly Houses, this year alone we are providing 40 SMJ houses and next year we will increase it to 50, including 10 for young newlyweds who cannot afford it and live with their parents in one house, this has never been implemented before,” he said.
He said the education sector was also given priority by providing large allocations with spending reaching RM1.3 billion over the past five years, especially to assist students through scholarship programmes and various other assistance.
Hajiji said the Strategic Development Plan for the Kuala Penyu District and Menumbok Sub-District 2025–2035 is an important document that was compiled in line with the SMJ’s Hala Tuju agenda, so that balanced development can be enjoyed by the people in both districts.
In conjunction with his visit, Hajiji also inaugurated the Nur Ihsan Mosque in Menumbok District, which was fully completed on March 27 with an allocation of RM3.26 million through the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU).
He also expressed his appreciation to the Limus Jury Education Foundation which has helped 5,350 students in the Kuala Penyu and Menumbok districts through various forms of educational assistance.
During the ceremony, Hajiji also handed over three native residential land gazettes under Section 78, involving Kampung Mansud Seluar (6.268 hectares), Kampung Purun (13.740 hectares) and Kampung Tanjung Aru (24.339 hectares).
-Agency