Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and Salam Sejahtera.
DEAR MALAYSIAN FAMILY,
1. Alhamdulillah, first of all, let us express our deepest gratitude to Allah SWT who has given us blessings, to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the establishment of Malaysia in Sabah, Negeri di Bawah Bayu.
2. Malaysia, which was formed on 16 September 1963 through the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63), is still intact as a peaceful, independent and sovereign nation under the auspices of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Umbrella of National Unity.
DEAR MALAYSIAN FAMILY,
3. Highlighting the history, the formation of Malaysia took almost 27 months, starting from May 1961. Various challenges had to be faced in forming Malaysia as a federal state.
4. Therefore, let us express our deepest gratitude to Allah and appreciation for the hard work of the fighters, who have liberated Sabah and Sarawak from the colonialists.
5. Names such as Datu Mat Salleh, Tun Mohd Fuad Stephens, and Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun are glorious fighters in the history of Sabah, while Datu Patinggi Abang Ali, Temenggong Jugah and Rentap are among the figures of Sarawak’s independence.
6. The spirit of these fighters should not stop. In the war against the unseen enemy of the COVID-19 pandemic, this fighting spirit must flow in the blood of every member of the Malaysian Family to free themselves, their families and the homeland from the pandemic crisis.
DEAR MALAYSIAN FAMILY,
7. Every time before Malaysia Day, the question of ‘equal partners’ is often raised. The Government, through the Special Council of Malaysia Agreement (MA63) has promised to pay attention to issues related to the interests of Sabah and Sarawak.
8. The Government assures us to continue to refine the matters that need to be resolved through negotiations, through the MA63 Special Council chaired by myself, and comprising the YAB Chief Minister of Sabah, YAB Chief Minister of Sarawak, and eight Federal Ministers.
9. This effort proves that the government is committed in paying attention to issues related to various important matters for the states of Sabah and Sarawak.
10. We should be thankful that, although Malaysia is a country whose states are separated by the South China Sea, every challenge has been successfully addressed and faced with a tolerant and democratic framework of action, centered on the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law.
MY DEAR MALAYSIAN FAMILY,
11. With the desire to see the prosperity of the country shared, I am pleased to announce that the government has allocated RM4.66 billion for the state of Sabah, while RM4.47 billion for the state of Sarawak.
12. It will be channeled through the development allocation below Rolling Plan 1 2021, the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP), which will be tabled in Parliament on 27 September.
13. This development allocation is among the highest compared to other states. This is a testament to the government’s high commitment towards improving economic growth and the well -being of the people in Sabah and Sarawak.
14. With the principle of ‘Working with the People’, the government will continue to focus on the people of Sabah and Sarawak, so that the prosperity enjoyed today can be enjoyed equitably.
15. At the same time, I am confident and believe that the Chief Minister of Sabah, YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, and the Chief Minister of Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg always listen to the people’s grievances, we will find a way solution.
MY DEAR MALAYSIAN FAMILY,
16. The government’s focus at this time is to rehabilitate the country’s economic sectors, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, which have been affected by the pandemic. In addition, basic infrastructure and facilities are also focused on ensuring sustainable and balanced development across the region.
17. The Government understands the need and importance of Malaysian Families towards high speed internet access.
18. To achieve this goal, the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) 2021 to 2025 will be further expanded.
19. As a precautionary measure for the states of Sabah and Sarawak to shift to 5G technology, the government has allocated RM7.7 billion over a period of five years, with Sabah allocated RM3.61 billion, and Sarawak RM4.09 billion.
20. JENDELA promises better and wider internet coverage and facilities, for the mutual benefit of Malaysian Families, especially in the State of Bawah Bayu and Bumi Kenyalang.
21. My assurance, the government remains committed to improving broadband services in these two states. No one will be left behind, everyone will have access to the digital world, and everyone must be connected.
22. This service will benefit 3.8 million people in Sabah, and 2.8 million people in Sarawak. Hopefully after this, we will no longer hear of Malaysian families, who have to climb trees or roofs, to find internet access in the future.
MY DEAR MALAYSIAN FAMILY,
23. Taking the spirit of Malaysia Day Celebration today, I call on all of us to deeply appreciate the meaning of this historic day. As a large Malaysian Family, we must be tolerant in all things, respectful and maintain unity across political ideologies for the sake of our beloved Malaysia.
24. Come on, Malaysian Family, we are determined and united to continue to preserve and defend the country’s sovereignty.
25. The unity of the people of various races, religions and ethnicities, in addition to cross -cultural national integration, as well as across political ideologies, is the cornerstone of our strength as a successful nation -state.
26. Like a piece of thread, knitted, woven and woven eventually into a perfectly beautiful fabric. That is the spirit of the Malaysian Family that upholds unity.
MY DEAR MALAYSIAN FAMILY,
27. I take this opportunity, to once again wish Happy Malaysia Day to all Malaysian Families wherever you celebrate it.
28. Let us all pray for this sovereign nation, always in the grace of peace, prosperity and well-being.
29. Finally, I would also like to express my highest appreciation to all parties involved in the successful organization of the Malaysia Day Celebration this year.
Happy 58th Malaysia Day!
Thank you,
