KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui yesterday lauded the vision of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to narrow the development gap between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.
Michael said Sabahans had long awaited effort to balance development between peninsular and the State so people can move forward together.
In fact, he said the people of Sabah shared the same vision as the prime minister with regards to the needs and desires of the people here.
On a similar note, Michael urged the prime minister to look into and resolve the issue of price difference of goods compared to West Malaysia as the priority measure to narrow the gap between Sabah and the peninsula. “Once this issue is settled, it will further boost the confidence of the people towards the government.
“Same price for the same product throughout the nation is the basic rights of the people.
“We are all Malaysians and we should enjoy the same benefits,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
Michael added the government should overcome all the hurdles to realize the implementation of price standardisation between Sabah and the peninsula so that the people in the state can enjoy the direct benefits from it.
“This is in line with the concept of 1Malaysia which is always emphasized by the prime minister.” Michael also welcomed the assurance by Najib that the 1,236-kilometre Pan Borneo Expressway project would be allocated to qualified contractors from Sabah.
He called on the government to ensure and realize the promise made by the Najib for the benefit of Sabahans.