‘Progress due to wise decision’
By Joniston Bangkuai, Julia Chan and Roy Goh, NST
KOTA KINABALU: The rapid development enjoyed by Sabah and Sarawak was the fruit of the wise decision made by the people in the two states to agree to the formation of Malaysia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the two states would continue to prosper in all fields of development with substantial allocations given by the Federal Government.
He said this was because the rights of all Malaysians, irrespective of race,were guaranteed by the Constitution.
“All Malaysians,whether they are in the urban or rural areas,must be accorded the opportunity to excel in fields theyhavepotential in,” he said at the Malaysia Day celebrations at Padang Merdeka here last night.
In citing an example,he said under the national key result areas initiative, Sabah would receive RM6.1 billion until 2012.
Najib also called on all Malaysians to appreciate the meaning of Malaysia Day and find ways strengthen unity among the people and noted the celebrations last night were historic as they were at the very place where Malaysia was proclaimed 47 years ago.
Historically, Najib said, the formation of Malaysia had also helped quell the Confrontation with Indonesia and the claim on Sabah by the Philippines, giving the people more reason to appreciate its existence as a united country since 1963.
“We must find it in our hearts to celebrate this auspicious day with a feeling of love for our country and make it our inspiration towards forming a united Malaysia,” he said at the celebrations attended by over 40,000 people.
The proclamation of Malaysia was made in Padang Merdeka by the then Sabah chief minister, Tun Fuad Stephens, and Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, who was there as a representative of the Federal Government.
Also present at the celebrations were Yang Dipertuan Negeri of Sabah Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
Najib, who last year announced that Malaysia Day would be a national holiday from this year on, said he believed the country could achieve whatever it aspired as long as the people remained united and committed to plans that had been set by the government.
