‘STAND UNITED
‘Develop patriotism to thwart attacks on nation’
OLIVIA MIWIL SANDAKAN news@nst.com.my
ENEMIES of the nation will not dare attack or bring down the government if Malaysians cultivate a strong sense of patriotism.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday said with such a selfless spirit, citizens would do their best to defend the country and allow for continued progress.
Najib said the opposition’s tagline, “Sabah for Sabahans”, would not hold water, and pledged that he would do his best for the state at the Ekspresi Negaraku programme here.
He said a lot had been done for Sabah, such as beefing up security via the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), and the Pan-Borneo Highway project.
He said industries in the state’s east coast, whose image was tarnished due to the Sulu intrusion in 2013, had prospered due to efforts by the state and federal governments.
“We have been giving yearly allocations to Esscom, and this year, we spent RM323 million on Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone) operations.
“Sabah has been the biggest recipient of the 11th Malaysian Plan rollout with RM9 billion allocated.
“That is equivalent to 10.3 per cent of the Federal Government’s budget.
“For Sabah, we have done more than what people expected. For example, the Pan-Borneo Highway has a RM12.8 billion allocation and is in its first phase.
“The second and third phases will follow, and the whole project is expected to cost more than RM20 billion. There are more things to come.”
Najib said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman would meet him regularly to discuss the needs of the people.
Some 30,000 people turned up for the event aimed at providing a platform for the people to express their love of the country.
Najib mentioned how fallen policeman Superintendent Ibrahim Lebar did not think twice about defending Malaysian sovereignty when responding to the threat of intruders in Kampung Simunul, Semporna, in 2013.
“He was unfortunate as there was an insider, a colleague who tipped off the intruders,” he said of the ambush where Ibrahim, from Peninsular Malaysia, was among six policemen killed by terrorists.
“His sacrifice saw him leaving behind his wife and children.
“It is a shame that a good Malaysian died due to an individual who has no love for the country and is willing to be in cahoots with the enemy.
“That is why we need to be united, so no one can threaten the land of Sabah.”