KOTA KINABALU, Jan 4 — Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor lauded Putrajaya’s decision to give full autonomy to the state and Sarawak for development projects under RM50 million, saying it was another step in the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Hajiji said it was the second decision made by the new federal government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after the handing over of regulatory power of gas resources to Sabah which was announced recently.
"In the spirit of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63), this is indeed good news.
"It will definitely help in the approval and implementation of development projects that have always been impeded by cumbersome red tape before,” said Hajiji.
Hajiji said that he and his Sarawak counterpart would be meeting with Anwar to finalise a few matters under MA63, among them the special grant issue.
Other good news expected, he said was the additional allocation for the Pan Borneo highway projects for Sabah to speed up its completion.
Earlier today, Anwar announced that full autonomy would be given to Sabah and Sarawak for projects under RM50 million with proper compliance under established monetary regulations.
The announcement was made during a press conference after chairing the first Cabinet meeting for this year.
Sabah Opposition leader Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal also welcomed the decision, saying it was among the state’s rights accorded to them in MA63.
Shafie also said it was a guarantee for Sabah under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution that it could decide for itself for projects worth RM50 million and below.
"This is good news and shows commitment from the federal government to carry out the promises to Sabah under MA63. Warisan would like to thank the prime minister for his conscientiousness towards the people of Sabah who have been waiting to see their aspirations for their rights under MA63 be returned,” he said
