More efficient delivery system needed to boost Sabah economy — Yong

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah needs a more efficient delivery system and speedy implementation of government public infrastructure projects to really boost its economy. Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said projects such as highways, water and electricity utilities and public housing will also provide new employment and business opportunities to local people.

He said fortunately Sabah's key economic sectors such as oil palm industry, tourism and oil and gas are expected to do moderately well.

“Full global economic recovery now depends on the effectiveness of the huge economic stimulus programmes that are being implemented in America and China, the two biggest economies in the world,” he said in his Chinese New Year message on Wednesday.

On the global geo-political front which can disrupt the global economic recovery, Yong said many uncertainties remain.

“However, the recent election results in Taiwan show that a majority of the voters in Taiwan reject any provocations or actions that could lead to violent conflict across the Taiwan Straits with mainland China. A fact that is not reported in the western media is that the new Taiwanese government leader received only 40% of the popular vote, a steep fall from the previous 57%. Equally critical is the fact that the Taiwanese government has lost its majority in parliament, hence any legislative move towards separation from China is doomed to fail.

“As a result, Asia can be expected to have a peaceful year of the dragon,” he said.