Sabah understands federal gov't's constraints - Shafie

Sabah believes in the ability of the federal government led by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to steer the country towards greater economic heights.

Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said the state government was aware of the Putrajaya's constraints in realising its goals within a short period.

“I am aware (of the constraints) and the fact that it has been one year since the federal government took over.

“But it is understandable, given the present world economic situation and the multitude of domestic issues it has to address,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after a public function at Pasar Kim Fung Batu 4 in Sandakan, Shafie said the Sabah government was free and not restrained by the Putrajaya from speaking up, including on sticky issues pertaining to state rights.

Shafie said the prime minister was earnest in wanting to resolve the problems faced by the locals in a specific time frame, such that he himself undertook to chair the committee to this effect.

“We are also not restricted from expressing our views through social media, unlike during the previous administration when our voice was completely obliterated from government-controlled print and social media or television.

“Today, the media has freedom, through which we can express at liberty, the aspirations of the people in our country,” he said.

- Bernama