SABAH ON STRONGER FOOTING DUE TO COLLECTIVE EFFORT, STABLE LEADERSHIP - NGA

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Sabah is now on stronger footing due to collective effort and stable leadership, underpinned by close cooperation between the state government and the federal Unity Government, said DAP national deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming.

He said that with the support of the federal administration led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and with Pakatan Harapan (PH) serving as a reliable partner in the previous state administration, Sabah had secured one of the highest development allocations in the country for 2026, amounting to RM6.9 billion.

Nga, who is also Housing and Local Government Minister said the record allocation formed an inclusive and sustainable foundation aimed at benefiting all Sabahans, noting that Sabah’s annual revenue had increased by nearly 90 per cent in four years, from RM3.59 billion in 2020 to nearly RM6.9 billion in 2024, with total collections exceeding RM26 billion from 2021 to 2024.

"This stronger financial position allowed the administration, together with its partners including PH, to build more than RM8 billion in reserves and to invest properly in its people, economy, and the future of Sabah," he said in a statement here, tonight.

Nga also shared that RM6.9 billion is earmarked for 2026 alone, while the Sabah Cabinet, which includes PH representatives, has approved a record development expenditure ceiling of RM12.02 billion covering 1,173 programmes and projects.

On investments, Nga highlighted that foreign and domestic inflows had created close to 2,000 jobs for Sabahan youth through projects including a RM19 billion green steel plant in Sipitang, a RM4.2 billion copper foil initiative, and RM3 billion solar glass manufacturing projects in Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP)  and Kudat.

He said RM4.89 billion channelled into roads and infrastructure from 2021 to 2024 had expanded Sabah’s road network, while federal support had also enabled 11 new power generation projects and the completion of four Pan Borneo Highway work packages.

He noted that the improvements have reached ordinary families, citing the Mesra SMJ housing scheme launched in 2022, under which 7,482 homes have been completed, including the Putera Kiansom project, which had been abandoned for 23 years and is now finished.

Nga said PH’s participation at both federal and state levels remained crucial for Sabah’s development trajectory and with voting day approaching, he humbly appealed to all Sabahans to support leaders committed to service, good governance, stability and progress.

“Elections are not only about selecting your representative, but choosing the future you want for your families, communities and our beloved nation,” he added.

The Election Commission has set Nov 29 as the polling day for the 17th Sabah state election.

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

-- BERNAMA