“No one can deny the development we have achieved in the last 24 years and we have remained consistent with our goals and struggles,” Musa said, laying out plans for Sabah in a document to chart out the state’s future.

Among the accomplishments are the state’s growing financial strength, the reduction of poverty and the increase in average monthly household incomes.

“Strengthening the state’s economy and prospering the people has always been the main agenda,” said Musa.

“The happiness of the people is what brings us satisfaction – the sight of happy faces and the gratitude of the people when promises are delivered.

“After all, we were given the mandate by the people and it is right for us to remember and support and assist them. Sabah BN will never betray the trust of the people.”

The achievements listed include:

• Poverty rate reduced from 25% in 2002 to 2.9% in 2016;
• RM3.74 billion in financial reserves in 2017, increased from RM184 million in 2002;
• 19,491 PPR houses to be built in 10 years by Jabatan Perumahan Negara;
• Surplus budget for four consecutive years from 2015 to 2018;
• 3.74 million tourist arrivals in 2017;
• Fee from RM1 at any government hospital;
• Three Urban Transformation Centres: Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Keningau;
• RM561 million for BR1M recipients in Sabah;
• Samur to produce 2,100 tonnes of fertiliser per day;
• 1.9 million hectares or 26% of the total landmass are now totally protected areas;
• Sabah is the largest producer of crude palm oil in Malaysia;
• RM13 billion for over 700km stretch in Sabah under Pan Borneo Highway project from Sindumin to Tawau;
• “Clean Bill” and “AAA” Sound Financial Management rating from the federal auditor-general for seven years until 2016;
• RM1 billion for repair and upgrade of dilapidated schools in Sabah under Budget 2018;
• A Surplus in the annual consolidated revenue account for 16 consecutive years from 2001;
• 11,416 jobs created in the manufacturing industry between 2013 and 2017;
• 2,453 jobs created in the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster
• 30% or 3.9 million hectares of land in Sabah turned into forest reserves, protected areas, and wildlife conservation areas.

Sabah BN’s promises

1. Protect Sabah’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Federal Constitution

• Ensure that the commitment to return the rights of Sabah as enshrined in MA63 and the Federal Constitution are fulfilled by the federal government;
• Demand immediate implementation from the steering committee and technical committee for the implementation of devolution of powers.

2. Nurture harmony among all religions and ethnicities

• Establish a special unit in the Chief Minister’s Department to coordinate non-Islamic religious affairs;
• Reinforce the spirit of sharing power among BN’s component parties at all administrative levels, with the goal of creating a society in harmony.

3. Agenda to eradicate poverty

• Continue to introduce more programmes aimed towards eradicating poverty, such as MESEJ (Mini Estet Sejahtera), Geran Komunal and the Agropolitan programme, as well as activities that generate income.

4. Commitment to continue handling the issue of illegal immigrants

• Prevent and control the entry of illegal immigrants;
• Support the continuous efforts of agencies to deport illegal immigrants.

5. Strengthen Esscom

• Provide Esscom with sophisticated and effective military equipment to ensure the state’s sovereignty and its people’s safety

6. Create fair job opportunities

• Allow equal opportunities for citizens in all sectors;
• Develop a workforce with a competitive edge.

7. Efficient land management

• Continue the awarding of communal grants so that more Sabahans possess land;
• Streamline and quicken land measurement and application processes;
• Ensure that customary lands continue to be protected.

8. Protect the environment and build a green economy

• Monitor and regulate the management of industrial waste removal;
• Implement more forest restoration activities;
• Encourage the use of green technology;
• Establish electric bus services at major cities in Sabah.

9. Reduce the gap in development between cities and rural areas

• Ensure that citizens, especially those living in rural Sabah, enjoy a better quality of life by providing them with basic facilities such as roads, water, electricity and healthcare.

10. Development of women and equal rights between genders

• Increase women’s involvement in decision and policy-making at every level in all fields.

11. Propel the development of youth and sports

• Ensure sufficient and more modern sports facilities and equipment;
• Perfect the training system in order to nurture more champions;
• Arrange for development programmes and protect the welfare of athletes.

12. Increase the development of human capital

• Focus on producing skilled human capital through training and improvement of the education system;
• Continue with the implementation of KDM (knowledge, design, mankind) colleges;
• Acknowledge UEC (United Examination Certificate) as the qualification for applying in general staff positions in Sabah with the condition that candidates pass their BM and History subjects with a credit at SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) level;
• State government to provide more scholarships for Sabahans to continue their studies at a higher level.

13. Government integrity and a more effective delivery system

• Reduce any leakage in public performance system;
• Provide more space for the participation of citizens in deviation and policy-making;
• Increase efforts to eradicate bribery;
• Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of civil servants in providing better services.

14. Strengthen the state’s financial and economic status

• Ensure the state’s resources and financial management system are solid, dynamic and well-established;
• Create a conducive economic system by ensuring the constant increase in foreign investments.

15. Drive agricultural sector forward

• Promote new and efficient technologies to modernise the food, agriculture and agro-industries;
• Increase the safety levels of food production as well as income of farmers and producers;
• Strengthen the growth and competitiveness of the agricultural industry.

16. Build affordable homes

• Implement more affordable housing projects for the people.

17. Boost the tourism industry

• Explore more potential tourism products, especially in rural areas;
• Encourage the participation of local players and operators in the tourism industry;
• Begin efforts to identify a new location for the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

18. Intensify growth in oil and gas industry

• Generate higher income for the state economy;
• Stimulate the growth of the downstream economy and local development;
• Intensify the economic growth and involvement of local companies.

19. Acknowledge the creative industry as a new source of economy

• Create a business ecosystem in the creative industry for local players;
• Implement more local motifs and culture through artistic work;
• Provide appreciation to local artists and their work.

20. Expand broadband network coverage

• Ensure that more citizens join the global community and obtain opportunities to participate in entrepreneurship, education and knowledge based on technology.

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