TENOM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded the people and political leaders in Sabah not to play on sentiment based solely on false facts.
He said that although the unity government led by him is always open to criticism, it should not jeopardise the existing unity.
Anwar explained that for development and management expenses alone, Sabah was allocated around 16.2 billion, which was the largest allocation received by any state in Malaysia.
He said PAS, or Perikatan Nasional, also disputed the rationale behind giving large allocations to Sabah.
The Prime Minister said he defended the decision because Sabah needed a large allocation to develop the state.
“It is common for politicians to twist issues to gain the support of the people. I hope the people are not influenced by this tactic that is not based on facts,” he said.
Anwar said this in his address at the ground-breaking ceremony for the RM4 billion hydroelectric dam project at Ulu Padas in Tenom today.
Also present was Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Anwar said he has a good relationship with the Chief Minister, and the latter always requests projects for the people of Sabah.
He said the good relationship between the federal government and the state government helped facilitate the implementation of development projects in the state.
Anwar also reiterated the federal government’s commitment to fulfil the 1963 Malaysia Agreement.