KOTA KINABALU: The State Government expects better recovery with growth forecast of 4 to 5 per cent for 2022 and 2023, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said this projection is in line with the Government’s commitment to continue the momentum of recovery in all aspects to boost the State’s economy.
This includes speeding up the implementation of development programmes, especially high-impact projects and attract more high-impact investments.
“Despite an uncertain global and national economic situation, the Sabah economy is currently on the right track towards recovery with growth at 1.1 per cent in 2021 compared to a contraction of 9.2 per cent the previous year.
“This achievement is supported by the state’s strong trade performance following the positive increase in Sabah’s export activities,” he said, at the Twelfth Malaysia Plan Half-Term Review Session (KSPRMKE-12) at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Tuesday.
His speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister III cum Minister of Public Works, Datuk Ir. Shahelmy Yahya.
Also present were Minister of Economy Mohd Rafizi Ramli, state and federal civil servants, industry players, representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs), representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academics and student representatives of institutions of higher learning.
Hajiji said the development agenda implemented by the State is based on the Strategic Direction of State Development under the 12th Malaysia Plan to achieve the objective of “Prosperous, Inclusive, Sustainable Malaysia”.
Through the Strategic Direction, the development focus includes all sectors to strengthen inclusive development, improve people’s well-being, balance regional development, empowering human capital and ensuring environmental sustainability, in line with the direction and goals of the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan (SMJ).
“The State Government is grateful and appreciates the commitment of Federal which approved RM14.976 billion in allocations under Rolling Plan 1 (RP1) up to Rolling Plan 3 (RP3) and the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“This allocation is for financing the implementation of 3,436 development projects through various ministries, including 1,181 new projects and approved extensions under RP3.
“The implementation of these projects will not only stimulate the development and growth of the state’s economy, but also benefit the prosperity and well-being of the people,” he added.
He stressed that the State Government is committed to addressing the issues of the implementation of development projects in the state and would ensure they are according to the schedule, meet the set results and objectives and provide benefits as expected.
Hajiji said several steps were taken to overcome hindrances, among them, continuous monitoring by the State Government with the cooperation of the State Development Office Sabah (SDO).
“The State Government also hopes that development allocations from the Federal Government can be channelled into a trust fund that will be monitored by the State Government.
“This proposal is to ensure that the allocations that have been channelled by the Federal Government for the purpose of development in this state can be fully spent and will not expire if it cannot be spent in the current year due to unavoidable implementation issues,” he stressed.
He said, the State Government also welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to hand over the authority to manage development projects worth RM50 million and below to the state government and recognized The Sabah Public Works Department and the Sabah Irrigation and Drainage Department as Technical Departments under the Treasury Directive (AP 182).
“I am confident this decision can not only reduce bureaucratic complexity, but also accelerate and boost development in the state of Sabah, especially to meet the needs of facilities and basic infrastructure, which in turn will improve the quality of life of the people of this state,” he said.