PAPAR: Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has proposed that a joint committee with Sabah state government to be set up exclusively to monitor the ministry's projects in Sabah rural.
Speaking at the Papar division Umno delegates meeting here, he said he has mentioned his intention to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and would be returning to the state to discuss further on the possibility.
Ismail said he was also considering a similar mechanism for Sarawak, adding that this was part of the greater empowerment for Sabah and Sawarak as promised by the federal government.
"We did not finish our discussion due to time constraint and I will follow up on later but if he (Musa) agrees to this, it is either both of us co-chairing the committee or we will form a special team overlooking the projects.
"I know there is still a lot to be done in Sabah and this mechanism will ensure we could plan better as the state government knows much more on what is happening on their grounds.
"The interiors are quite sensitive when there are abandoned projects and we do not want them to get angry with the government when the promised projects are not carried out properly," he told reporters, adding that there are hundred millions of ringgit of 'sick projects' across the country.
Ismail who is also Umno supreme council member, said the party should not feel apologetic over its stance of defending the Malays or Bumiputeras as the party do not suppress other ethnic groups.
"If we take care of our race and there are those who call us racists, we should not be nervous as we do not undermine other ethnicities in our country.
"It would be pointless if MCA could not help with the struggles of the Chinese community and same goes with MIC and the Indian community, as well as the local parties in Sabah here like PBS (for Kadazandusun Murut community). We have our own responsibilities.
"So (those who labelled us racists) you can do what you like but don't stop Umno from helping Malays and Bumiputeras especially entrepreneurs through Mara," he stressed.
Papar Umno chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail expressed the division's full backing of Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, showing appreciation on the federal government's effort in implementing various programmes and projects in Sabah.