PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today launched an “Aku Janji”, or list of pledges, that a state government backed by Putrajaya would fulfil should it take power in the Sabah election.

However, the bold statements pledges were short on details, and Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, did not elaborate as he left after the ceremony that was attended by some leaders of Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional and Parti Bersatu Sabah.

“I will elaborate more on this tonight,” said Muhyiddin at the Sutera Harbour Resort.

He said Sabah was among the worst Covid-19 affected states on account that a big part of their income is derived from tourism. Sabah is also counted as one of the poorest states in the country.

“A new state government may not be able to resolve all your problems but voting for a state government that is supported by the federal government will go a long way towards helping Sabah resolve these problems,” said the prime minister.

After the ceremony, “Aku Janji” flyers were seen around the venue, but they were not circulated. 

The flyers listed the promises the BN-PN-PBS coalition, otherwise known as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, had made.

Among them were the promise to defend Sabah’s rights under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, set up a state assembly committee for MA63, establish the Sabah Petroleum Council, the promise to narrow the economic gap between Sabah and other states, and ensure the freedom of religion.

Among those who represented the parties were Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, BN secretary-general Annuar Musa, Perikatan secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin, PAS secretary-general Takiyudin Hassan, SAPP president Yong Teck Lee, STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan and Umno and Bersatu state chiefs Bung Mokhtar Radin and Hajiji Noor respectively.

Missing at the launch, however, was Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who campaigned for Umno in Putatan, Kota Kinabalu, last night. – September 16, 2020.