Musa Reved Up Sabah's Economic Engine, Says Luping

KOTA KINABALU:  The leadership of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has shown remarkable achievements for Sabah and the people since helming the State Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition government ten years ago.

Former deputy chief minister and former Sabah Attorney-General Tan Sri Herman Luping said Musa has plumped up the state's reserves, reved up the State's economic engine, pulled in mega investments and increased the competency of state government-linked companies.

"Despite the many challenges and criticisms by his political detractors, Musa has delivered," he said in statement Wednesday.

Luping said Sabahans should be proud that the state budget had consistently increased annually since Musa took over the mantle of Sabah BN leadership in the state.

"And, the Budget for 2013 is a massive RM4,088 billion.

The biggest yet, ever made by a Sabah state government. This is an indication that there has been careful management of funds," he said.

With careful handling of the state's financial management, Musa accumulated the largest state reserve funds to sustain Sabah's economy.

"This is all due to the fact that the government under him practiced sound and prudent financial management.

And indeed, for this, the Auditor-General declared Sabah as the top among the states with the best record in financial management.

Sabah has been recognised with the Clean Bill over the last 12 years, Luping said.

He said for a long time, the main economic mainstay of the state was timber.

"But, Musa realised that timber was fast depleting and the state's source of revenue has to be diversified," he said, adding that an economic development blue print was introduced with main emphasis on agriculture, manufacturing and the tourism sector.

"In 2012, Sabah recorded the highest amount of private sector investment of RM10 billion," Luping said, attributing the success to political stability and the confidence of investors in the BN government's handling of the state and its economic development.

"And part of this success story of Sabah's rapid and visible economic development is also due to the close rapport of the Chief Minister and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Luping said in Sabah, it was also this cohesiveness among the component party leaders that allowed the BN to achieve the success in many fields.

"But the strength of the BN is also due to the solid and positive leadership of Musa Aman.

A strong leader is needed in the centre in Kuala Lumpur and we have this with the present Prime Minister and Chairman of the Barisan Nasional.

"In Sabah, a strong leadership is also needed and Sabah is lucky to have Musa Aman helming the Sabah BN.

His success story is also due to using "brain power" than emotion in carrying out his function to develop the state.