TAWAU: The federal government is consistent in its commitment to develop Sabah to be at par with the Peninsular.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail stressed this has been voiced by the coalition since they were still the opposition, and thus will be carried out once national financial issues are ironed out.
“We want to make sure of this (Sabah development), even in Parliament, in the past we have said Sabah must progress together with the Peninsular.
“Why should Sabah be left behind .... We have advised on this previously. When is the Pan Borneo (Highway) expected to be completed?
“That is why we say this is the time for us to carry out the promises of winning to Sabah folks,” she said during a gathering with the people at the Tawau parliamentary constituency Hari Raya open house, here, today.
Also present were Sabah deputy chief minister Christina Liew and the two state assistant finance ministers, Kenny Chua and Sharifuddin Hatta.
This is Dr Wan Azizah’s first visit to Sabah as DPM following Pakatan Harapan's (PH) victory in the 14th General Election (GE14) on May 9.
Wan Azizah however asked the people here to be patient as the government is now facing financial issues, however it is not an excuse to delay the state’s development programmes.
Earlier Sharifuddin who is representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, hoped Wan Azizah will return to Sabah especially to Tawau and Kalabakan to see the development issues for herself, in relation to road links.
About 5,000 attended the gathering held at the Tawau sports complex which started from 3pm to 6.30pm.
Liew who is Tawau Member of Parliament said the event was a way to thank the people at the constituency for giving the mandate to PKR, DAP and Parti Warisan Sabah which paved the way for them to form the state government.
In her short working visit, Dr Wan Azizah who is also PKR president and Women and Family Development Minister also presented contributions to the elderly from the Air Panas welfare home, here, besides officiating Tawau PKR's office.
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