POLLS: BN MANIFESTO OUTLINES SIX KEY THRUSTS FOR SABAH’S DEVELOPMENT

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) today unveiled its manifesto for the 17th Sabah State Election, introducing the Rancangan Pembangunan Sabah Satu (RPS1), or the One Sabah Development Plan, which outlines six key thrusts aimed at driving the state’s development and enhancing the well-being of its people.

Sabah UMNO treasurer Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, when presenting the manifesto, said RPS1 was comprehensively crafted to encompass economic prosperity, improved quality of life, the empowerment of women and youth as nation-building pillars, and accessible quality education for all.

Salleh, who is also BN’s candidate for the Usukan state seat, said RPS1 further emphasises political transformation and good governance, the development of a healthy society and a caring state, as well as the sustainability of natural resources.

“This RPS1 was carefully formulated through collective discussion and refined after taking into account the needs of all Sabahans. Politics is not the end goal, but a platform to develop Sabah,” he said.

Also present at the launch were BN chairman and UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Wanita BN chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, and UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Salleh said that under the thrust of economic prosperity and improved quality of life, BN intends to establish the Sabah Wealth Fund as a long-term savings and investment vehicle for the benefit of the people and future generations.

Under the same thrust, he said BN also aims to build 15,000 units of affordable housing - the Rumah Sabahku - each year specifically for the B40 and M40 groups, in addition to setting up a Special House Repair Fund to assist B40 households affected by natural disasters.

“In addition, BN has pledged to build a new international airport to increase existing capacity, as well as to open the new Kudat Port with a free trade zone to strengthen Sabah’s position as a regional economic hub,” he said.

He said BN also plans to establish a Sabah Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, to be led by a woman minister, to oversee development and welfare matters concerning women, children and the wider community.

“In addition, BN aims to establish a youth entrepreneur cooperative in every district to create economic opportunities through the Sabah government-linked company (GLC) mentorship programme,” said the former Sabah Chief Minister.

Under the quality education for all thrust, BN is committed to providing free education for Sabah students from the B40 group at state-owned higher education institutions.

“BN also intends to offer a one-off incentive of RM2,000 to RM2,500 to Sabahan students who pursue diploma and bachelor’s degree programmes at public higher education institutions (IPTAs) and private higher education institutions (IPTs),” he said.

In addition, he said BN intends to establish a Special State Legislative Assembly Committee under the political transformation and governance thrust to monitor and oversee the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including matters related to Sabah’s autonomy rights.

Through the healthy community and caring state thrust, Salleh said BN proposes, among other initiatives, the establishment of a ‘Perkampungan Prihatin Komuniti’ or Caring Community Village - a Sanggar Kasih facility specifically for the elderly - as well as a Rural Well-Being Volunteer Fund to support volunteers who provide health screening and welfare services to rural communities.

Under the sustainability of natural resources thrust, he said BN plans to establish the Sabah Petroleum Council to safeguard the state's interests in the oil and gas industry, and to implement a policy mandating that at least 50 per cent of highly skilled workers hired in the sector be Sabahans.

In the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election, BN is contesting 45 out of the 73 state seats, with 81 per cent of its candidates being new faces, including nearly half who are professionals and young people.

Polling day has been set for Nov 29, while early voting will take place on Nov 25.

According to Election Commission (EC) statistics, a total of 1,784,843 voters are eligible to cast their ballots, comprising 1,760,417 ordinary voters, 11,697 military personnel and their spouses, and 12,729 police personnel and their spouses.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah State Election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php.

-- BERNAMA