SANDAKAN: UMNO/BN stands alongside the people of Sabah in expressing issues that affect their well-being, and Libaran Member of Parliament Datuk Suhaimi Nasir asserted that the “Sabah Maju Jaya” (SMJ) slogan introduced by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government should not be a source of worry or alarm.
He said that the primary focus should be on addressing the daily challenges faced by the people of Sabah, ranging from infrastructure development to economic obstacles impacting their livelihoods and well-being.
Suhaimi said that SMJ is not an issue of fear for the opposition parties, including UMNO and BN, but the main concern is the fear and anxiety of the people of Sabah, who face various issues every day, from basic infrastructure development issues to economic issues that hinder the livelihood and well-being of the people.
“This issue is raised by the people themselves; every day on various media platforms, in coffee shops, and in government offices, they (the people) question the effectiveness of the slogan (SMJ) in bringing prosperity for them to enjoy.
“We as leaders and political parties only bring up the issue to inform the government, not because of political interests, but because this issue is related to the interests of the people,” he said.
Suhaimi said this when they met during Umno Zone 6, comprising Lahad Datu, Semporna, Tawau, and Kalabakan breaking of fast events, at Dewan Sri Perdana Lahad Datu on Sunday evening.
He was also responding to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s assertion that opposition leaders targeted SMJ for criticism and political gain, were afraid of the SMJ slogan, and sought its flaws.
In his rebuttal, Suhaimi contended that UMNO/BN only raises concerns about critical issues such as road infrastructure, water and electricity supply, and the economy that continue to hinder the lives of the people.
Suhaimi emphasises that these problems are not meant “to incite the people” but are the reality they face.
He urges the government to address these issues and reminds them that the majority of people are digitally aware and express their dissatisfaction through various social media platforms.
Suhaimi also reminds the government to focus on implementing SMJ effectively rather than just promoting it through media platforms or erecting numerous signboards.
He said that the success of SMJ would only be meaningful to the people if their basic living conditions were improved.
