KOTA BELUD: Issues related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 will be included in the Barisan Nasional manifesto for the 14th General Election.
In saying this Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also gave his assurance that the rights of the Sabah people will be safeguarded.
He stressed the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak take serious attention on the MA63 issue.
"We believe in the prime minister’s commitment that any (Sabah rights) in the MA63, which were taken or overlooked, will be returned because the people have the right to demand for it.
"If (MA63) becomes an issue then it is a concern for the Federal government. This I give my assurance and commitment to the people of Sabah.
"I will assist the prime minister in monitoring and implementing the policy because this is BN, 'janji ditepati' (promise is fulfilled)," he said at the Kota Belud Polytechnic ground breaking ceremony at Kampung Kesapang here.
Also present were Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Salleh Said Keruak, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, and Higher Education deputy minister Datuk Dr Mary Yap Kain Ching.
Meanwhile on the polytechnic, Zahid noted the establishement of Kota Belud Polytechnic Campus, which cost RM80 million, was among efforts to increase percentage of (Malaysian) skilled workers to 43 per cent by 2030.
"At the moment, the country has 28 per cent of skilled workers. The Kota Belud Polytechnic is among efforts taken by the government to increase the percentage to 50 per cent by 2050.
"By god’s grace, Malaysia will become a more progressive country by 2050 and will no longer have to hire foreign workers," he stressed.
The Kota Belud campus would the third polytechnic in Sabah and be the 36th in the country. It’s construction is expected to be completed by 2021 and would be able to accomodate 500 students.
The first batch of students for the campus is expected to start in 2019 and they would begin their studies temporarily at the Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic Campus.
The Kota Belud Polytechnic Campus will offer two diploma courses namely on oil and gas as well as resort management related courses.