KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has given his assurances that issues related to Sabah and Sarawak would be resolved.
In his maiden speech to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the country's formation tonight, he touched, among others, on the continuous calls by Sabah and Sarawak to honour the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
"Every time on Malaysia Day, the question of 'equal partners' is often raised. The government assures everyone that it will finetune matters that have to be resolved via negotiation, through the council of Malaysia Agreement 1963 which will be chaired by myself, the Sabah and Sarawak chief ministers and eight federal ministers.
"This shows that the government is committed to looking into issues important to (the people of) Sabah and Sarawak," he said during the Malaysia Day celebration at Sabah International Convention Centre here.
Present were Sabah Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and his deputy Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Communication and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Ismail Sabri also announced fresh federal allocations of RM4.66 billion for Sabah and RM4.47 billion for Sarawak.
Both funds are being channelled as development allocations under the first rolling plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan. It will be tabled in Parliament on Sept 27.
"These are the highest allocations among other states. It shows the high commitment of the government to increasing the economic growth and people's wellbeing in Sabah and Sarawak," he said.
Ismail Sabri added that the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela) 2021 to 2025 would be further expanded to ensure high speed internet access in both states.
The project would benefit 3.8 million people in Sabah and 2.8 million in Sarawak.
"To prepare Sabah and Sarawak's shift into 5G technology, the government has also allocated RM7.7 billion over five years with Sabah to receive RM3.61 billion, and for Sarawak, RM4.09 billion.
"Jendela promises better and wider internet coverage and facilities, for the mutual benefit of (everyone under the) Malaysian Family (concept), especially for the Land Below the Wind and Land of the Hornbills.
"No one will be left behind, everyone will have access to the digital world, and everyone must be connected.
"Hopefully after this, we will no longer hear our Malaysian family members having to climb trees or rooftops to access the internet in future."