KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor lauds the efforts of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) to bring the 38th National Chinese Cultural Festival to Sabah this September.
“The State Government welcomes FCAS’s initiative. I hope this festival will promote and foster greater understanding of the various colourful Chinese cultures,” he said.
Speaking at the opening of the 2023 Chinese New Year carnival at Lintasan Deasoka here tonight, Hajiji said the State Government will continue to support Chinese cultural activities in the state.
His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister I and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
“Sabah is a diversified multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural community where tolerance and acceptance of each others’ heritage has prevailed. The Government encourages and supports this,” said the Chief Minister.
He said the Government will also ensure the rakyat gets equal development, including allocations for the vernacular and mission schools as well as non-Muslim religious bodies in the state.
The State Government, he said has done its best to develop the state under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya development blueprint and at the end of 2022, the State Government had collected more than RM6.6 billion in revenue.
“This is not only the best performance of a Sabah State Government ever since the formation of Malaysia in 1963 but also proof of the present State Government’s determination and ability to develop Sabah,” he said.
Hajiji assured the Sabah Government would continue to implement sound policies in order to bring in more investments going forward..
Putrajaya’s nod to hand over regulatory power of the gas supply to the State Government on Dec 21, 2022, marked a positive beginning, he said.
Earlier this week, the Chief Minister tabled the Sabah Energy Commission 2023 Bill and Gas Supply 2023 Bill whch was passed unanimously during the special State Assembly sitting.
“In this respect, I hope the Chinese community, a majority of whom are in business, will work together with the Government to develop the state.
“I am confident that with support from all the rakyat, particularly the Chinese community, each step taken by the Government will progressively move Sabah in the right direction,” he said.
Ends