Prime Minister arrives for state visit

KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Ismail Sabri Yaakob arrived here this morning for a one-day official visit to Sabah.
He was met on arrival by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister 1, Dato’ Sri Bung Moktar Radin and Cabinet Ministers at Terminal 2, Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
This marks the Prime Minister’s first visit to the state since taking office as Prime Minister on 21 August. Accompanying him were Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, Datuk Seri Annuar Musa, Minister of Communications and Multimedia and Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries.
The Prime Minister later attended a state development briefing by State Secretary, Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Safar Untong at Menara Kinabalu
On Sabah’s development needs, the Prime Minister said Sabah will continue to get attention, citing several projects that will be given priorities especially people- centric projects such as schools, infrastructure and amenities.
Following the briefing, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri presented a mock cheque for RM18,241,250 being the Federal government’s contribution through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) to the Chief Minister.
On yesterday’s bad weather that had wreaked havoc in the state capital and vicinity, the Prime Minister acknowledged the state’s needs for more funds which he will duly consider especially to the Penampang district which bore the brunt of damages.
This evening, the Prime Minister will launch a low-key Malaysia Day celebrations with full SOP compliance at the Sabah International Convention Centre. Sabah is host for this year’s celebrations.