Cooperation With Federal Govt Is Political Reality, Not Submission - Masidi

By Siti Baaqiah Mamat

RANAU, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Close cooperation between the Sabah government and the federal government in the 17th Sabah State Election does not mean the state is subservient to Putrajaya, but is instead a realistic necessity to ensure the people’s problems are resolved more quickly and effectively.

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said cordial ties between the two levels of government are crucial as Sabah is part of Malaysia, and many development issues, including infrastructure financing, require joint action.

“Sometimes people misunderstand and think that when we work with the federal government, we are submitting ourselves. That is not true. Sabah is also part of the Federation, we have ministers at the federal level, so this cooperation is a political reality,” he told Bernama.

Masidi stressed that rejecting cooperation would only disadvantage the people, as administrative processes and the disbursement of financial aid could be delayed, particularly for road, water and other basic infrastructure projects that fall partly under federal jurisdiction.

“For example, people read that roads in Sabah are ‘like the surface of the moon’, but many do not realise that a large portion of these are federal roads that must be maintained by the federal government. We are not running away from our responsibilities, but there are matters beyond the state government’s control.

“What matters is that both sides manage funds more efficiently and ensure implementation is carried out systematically,” he said.

Responding to opposition criticism that GRS champions local parties yet still cooperates with Pakatan Harapan, Masidi said the approach is not contradictory but complementary.

He said the emphasis on local parties is meant to build public confidence that Sabah can manage its own affairs, but within a federal framework, cooperation with the central government remains essential.

Masidi, who is also the state Finance Minister, said he is aware that development funds are never sufficient at either the state or federal level, and that good relations between both governments help ensure grants and assistance are channelled more smoothly.

“We want to show that Sabah can handle many matters on its own, but at the same time, we are part of Malaysia. Many financial, development and security issues must be addressed jointly... our motive is to solve problems, and if we do not cooperate, it is the people who will suffer.

“Funds are never ‘enough’, so close ties help expedite financial management involving assistance and grants from the federal government. Imagine if there is no cooperation, even small matters can become big,” he said.

Commenting on the state polls campaign, Masidi said GRS is on ‘the right track’ to return to power, based on voter feedback, especially after the coalition took the opportunity to directly address various allegations against the state government.

“Previously, we rarely responded to the accusations. But the campaign has given us space to explain them one by one directly to the grassroots. Many now realise that what they heard all this time does not reflect the actual situation,” he explained.

Besides addressing legacy issues, he said GRS is also highlighting its future plans and the direction of the Sabah Maju Jaya development agenda, which has three main components -- economic development, education and resolving fundamental infrastructure problems -- to convince voters.

On education, he highlighted the state government’s commitment to producing competitive human capital, including raising scholarship allocations from RM62 million to RM121 million this year, despite education being under the federal government’s purview.

“This demonstrates our seriousness in strengthening education in Sabah. We are adding initiatives to complement what is being done by the federal government,” he said.

Polling is scheduled for Nov 29, with early voting today.

For the latest news on the state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah.

-- BERNAMA