Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, foresees closer cooperation with Sarawak in the future.
He said both Sabah and Sarawak have enjoyed good relationship since the formation of Malaysia.
“When I was installed as the Chief Minister of Sabah, my first visit was to meet my Sarawakian counterpart, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, to indicate how important it is for us to have a close rapport, not only in terms of politics, but also how we could benefit each other,” he said at a press conference after returning from his working trip to China here yesterday.
For instance, Shafie said, arrangements could be made for tourists who visit Sabah to spend a few days in Sarawak as well so that tourism in both states would benefit.
He said the Sarawak government has also offered to supply electricity to Sabah, when necessary, which the state has in abundance at a much cheaper rate.
He added that there were also supply of vegetables and food from Sipitang to Lawas and close cooperation between security forces at the borders.
“I foresee that the cooperation (between Sabah and Sarawak) will be enhanced in the future, especially in Sipitang, where a lot of investors are interested in venturing into the downstream activities at Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP). This will help strengthen the relationship between Sabah and Sarawak, particularly near Sipitang and Lawas,” he said.
Asked if an international airport would be built near the Sabah-Sarawak borders, Shafie said that matter has not been discussed.
Nonetheless, he said, the state government has identified a site in Kimanis to build a new airport to cater for higher demand in the future.