September 16 important to Sabah, Sarawak – Shafie

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MIRI: September 16 is an important date for the people in Sabah and Sarawak as the two states joined in the formation of Malaysia in 1963, said Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

Rural and Regional Development MInister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal being greeted when arriving for the Malaysia Day celebration in Miri on Tuesday night. He is accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Shuryani Dato’ Shuaib (second left).

Since that date, he said the federal government had been committed to develop Sabah and Sarawak consistently to ensure that the people in both states would benefit greatly from the merger.

Shafie said thecentral government had never compromised on the issue of security in the country. For example, during the Lahad Datu intrusion, police and troops were sent to the district to fight off the intruders.

“The government has never compromised on security matters, especially on the issue of sovereignty. Sabah and Sarawak are part of Malaysia and it is our responsibility to protect them from intruders,” he said during the Malaysia Day celebration in Miri, Sarawak on Tuesday night.

Shafie who is also the member of parliament for Semporna, added following the string of events in Lahad Datu the central government had increased the number of police and army personnel in the district to prevent further intrusion.

He said based on the decision of the Cobbold Commission since 16th September 1963, the central government had been working hard to provide the best services and even though the development process had not reached 100 per cent yet, a majority of the population in Sabah and Sarawak had benefitted from the various fields.

“Education is one of the areas which is witnessing progress. Our children in remote areas are receiving a very good education and this is due to the continuous assistance of the central government,” he said.

After Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaysia, he said the central government provided systematic education opportunities, including financial aid and scholarships to the children to pursue higher education in the country and abroad.

“They get scholarships, including from the Sabah Foundation and Colombo. This is to ensure that they follow the best education system and can change their lives,” he said.

Shafie added the central government also focused on developing infrastructure facilities for the people in the two states, including road and electricity supply.

He stressed that the call by a group for Sabah and Sarawak to leave Malaysia is against the decision of the Cobbold Commission. In fact, the federal government recognized the role and contribution of both states to the overall development of Malaysia.

“Thirteen of the ministers in the federal cabinet are from Sabah and Sarawak. This is also the recognition of the central government to the leaderships in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

Shafie also touched on the privileges specifically given to the Sabah and Sarawak governments after the formation of Malaysia 51 years ago like the land law and immigration power which are still enforced today.