KOTA KINABALU, March 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today the progress or regress of a state depends on the commitment, determination, dedication and integrity of public servants.

He said the success also depended on the good relations between the state and central governments, especially in terms of political and administrative relations as well as relations between the federal and state government officers.

"That is the factor of Sabah’s current success. The political and administrative relations between the state and central governments are very cordial. Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and I enjoy very cordial relations.

"I am also very committed to ensuring a good future for Sabah. This is not political rhetoric just because the general election is approaching. Evidently, from what the people are saying, I have done a lot for Sabah, especially in terms of allocations,” he said.

Najib was addressing a gathering of federal and Sabah public servants at the Sabah Administrative Centre building here.

Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, state Cabinet ministers, Sabah state secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman and federal secretary Datuk Nor Rizan Mohd Tani.

Najib said that since assuming the post of Prime Minister, he had done much for Sabah especially in terms of allocations for development in the state.

"Musa said that the allocations that Sabah received since I became the Prime Minister have increased. During the 8th Malaysia Plan, under the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry only allocated RM1.42 billion to Sabah.

"During the 10th Malaysia Plan, under my leadership, the ministry channelled RM7.6 billion to Sabah and, so far, the ministry has allocated RM10.6 billion to Sabah,” he said.

Najib, who is also the Minister of Finance, said that besides the allocations through the budget, the federal government had also channelled special allocations to Sabah, such as RM500 million for the Tanjung Aru Eco Development project and RM250 million for the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) project. — Bernama