KOTA KINABALU: The Chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah, Datuk Ewon Benedick, has expressed his support for Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Haji Noor’s commitment to boost the revenue of Sabah.
Ewon, who is the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, stated his readiness to collaborate with Sabah’s leadership in efforts to further increase the state’s revenue collection.
“I believe the Chief Minister’s statement is based on the achievements over the past two years.
“Indeed, the revenue of the Sabah government has seen an increase, and PH Sabah takes pride in being part of the leadership that has contributed to this growth.
“Among the initiatives is the special allocation under Article 112D, where we have raised the interim payment from RM306 million to RM600 million starting this year,” he remarked.
He told reporters this at the Chinese New Year Open House hosted by Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, the State Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship of Sabah, along with the DAP Sabah leadership.
Ewon, who is also the President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), was asked to comment on the recent statement by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who indicated that the state’s revenue could exceed RM8 billion within the next three years if the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-Pakatan Harapan (PH) Plus coalition is given another mandate in the upcoming State Election (PRN).
Regarding the event, Ewon noted that the unity displayed during the Chinese New Year celebration, attended by various segments of society, would further strengthen the existing harmony among the people of the nation.
“I hope the leadership of DAP Sabah continues to excel in advocating for the development of the people and the country,” he added.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Chairperson of the Village Development Cooperative Jannie Lasimbang, and Senator Datuk Nelson Wences Angang.