Sabah to get immediate RM3mil allocation, says Anwar

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is getting an immediate allocation of RM3mil for petty traders and the minor repair of infrastructure in Penampang, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He approved the amount following a request from Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick during the Hawkers and Traders Carnival at Buhavan Square in Donggongon, Penampang near here on Thursday (Dec 7).

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He said RM2mil was for the repair of infrastructure, while RM1mil would go to hawkers and traders.

“To prevent Ewon from saying that he wasted his time asking me to come here (Penampang), we will give some immediate allocations for what he requested,” said Anwar.

Anwar said such swift approval is possible due to the strong relationship between the state and Federal governments.

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On the carnival, he said the government will always find ways to help traders and industries, but added that it is the duty of the people to improve their quality of services and products if they wish to see improvement in their sector.

“You must ensure that stalls are manned properly, that they are clean and attractive, so that more customers will come and spend money,” said Anwar.

He said what was important was finding ways to manage the allocated funds and make sure they are used for their intended purpose.

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Anwar added that people should not listen to certain politicians who claimed that the allocations given to Sabah were low, and that even a small island like Penang received more.

“Don’t listen to this (baseless) talk, they follow their own sentiments and sometimes twist their words for their own gain,” Anwar said.

He added that Sabah rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 are being worked on, and added that more has been achieved compared to previous years.

He also touched on the need for Malaysians to improve and strengthen the use of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language and also improve their English proficiency as it is an international language.