KOTA KINABALU: This year has been significant for Sabah, marked by various events highlighting the close relationship between the 'Land Below the Wind' and the Federation that strengthened ties within the shared 'home' called Malaysia.
The lively and spirited welcome by the people of Sabah for Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah during the 'Kembara Kenali Borneo' tour in September was strong testimony to this.
The tour sparked extraordinary scenes, with Sabahans lining up on urban and rural roads in droves to welcome the royal family and cheer them on during their journey. Even unfavourable weather conditions did not deter them from coming out to show their love and admiration for the Royal Couple, who were clearly moved by the tremendous reception given.
To the locals, the excitement of having the opportunity to welcome the King was a showcase of their loyalty to the Head of the State and His Majesty's role as the protector of the people.
Newly appointed Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, (who was formerly Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions), was among the ministers in attendance for the tour, said the emphatic reception shown highlighted the people's love and loyalty for Al-Sultan Abdullah.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said the tour was solely inspired to get to know the people of Sabah and Sarawak more closely and to provide an opportunity for the royal couple to strengthen ties between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
'Kembara Kenali Borneo', held from September 3 to 13, kicked off in Tawau, Sabah and ended in Telok Melano, Sarawak, spanning 2,154 kilometres along the Pan Borneo Highway that connects Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.
Meanwhile, the close cooperation between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in realising the objectives outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) also emphasised the strong relationship between Sabah and the Federal Government.
Sabah achieved another milestone in January when the State Legislative Assembly passed the 2023 Gas Supply Bill, returning gas supply regulatory powers from the Federation to the state.
University Sabah Malaysia geopolitical analyst for Borneo matters, Dr Syahruddin Awang Ahmad, said that this move has opened up Sabah to opportunities to leverage natural gas revenue as a financial source for Sabah's development and progress.
Besides this, in June, Hajiji said Anwar had, in principle, given the green light for Sabah to take over regulatory control of its electricity supply on January 1, next year, and that a special state assembly sitting has been slated for Jan 3 to pave the way for this.
Also, in January, Anwar announced the decision to grant full autonomy to Sabah for projects under RM50 million, which Hajiji said would help expedite implementation and overcome bureaucratic hurdles.
When chairing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council meeting, Anwar also announced an increase in special allocations, according to Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, to RM300 million per year for Sabah and Sarawak.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the amount is an initial payment before a specific formula is announced, adding that the principle behind the allocation was decided by past leaders who felt that the position of both states was disadvantaged during the formation of Malaysia.
Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Bung Moktar Radin, and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) president Datuk Peter Anthony welcomed these measures, which they considered as essential in addressing the issues.
Sabah-based political analyst Musli Oli was also of the view that Anwar's efforts demonstrate his seriousness in ensuring the implementation of the MA63.
Meanwhile, efforts to provide the best roads for the people of Sabah have been realised with the construction of the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway, which according to Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, has reached 83 per cent completion for the 15 work packages of Phase 1A as of September.
According to Nanta, one of the problems faced in completing the project included the supply of bitumen in addition to the need for coordination with the management of state utilities, adding that the ministry was currently resolving those issues.
When presenting the 2024 Budget in October, Anwar said that the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak is expected to be fully completed by next year, while the tender process for 19 packages of Phase 1B of Pan Borneo Sabah, involving 336 kilometres with a cost of RM15.7 billion, will be completed this month. — Bernama