PETALING JAYA, April 7 — The Barisan Nasional (BN) pledged 24 commitments to Sabah and Sarawak in its GE14 manifesto unveiled tonight, chief among them full recognition of the rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Sabahans and Sarawakians will also have a literal brighter future with RM2.3 billion pledged to ensure reliable electricity supply.
Other infrastructure pledges include a RM2 billion telecommunications upgrade in the two states for better connectivity.
An additional RM4.3 billion will be allocated for the construction of a Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline.
The BN also promised to continue the existing subsidy on the supply of potable water to Sabah’s interior.
Education and language rights for the Iban and Kadazandusun communities in both states will be given a boost with the set-up of an institute for native studies in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
The BN also pledged to increase the number of government officers in the service sector who are able to speak in the two indigenous languages.
The coalition also promised to empower native communities by making available materials and educational tools in Iban and Kadazandusun, which will be channeled to the Education Departments in Sarawak and Sabah respectively.
The Dayak community will benefit from the setting up a trust for activities such as the measuring of customary land, the enabling of Dayak entrepreneurs and the teaching of the Dayak language.
Security in the East Sabah Security Command would be given a boost by upgrading the military capability of the forces stationed there.
