Maintain unity, sense of belonging and tolerance - Musa

Chief Minister Sabah Datuk Seri Musa Aman wants the people of Sabah to continue maintaining unity, sense of belonging and tolerance to ensure racial harmony among the more than 32 ethnic groups.

He said the people should not be influenced by attempts of certain quarters to destroy the existing unity and harmony, especially attempts to bring Sabah out of the federation.

"This act is actually giving more negative effects on us, the people of this state and I urge everyone to close ranks and stand united for the sake of the country," he said.

"I am confident the people are mentally matured and can think wisely without being influenced by their agenda," he said in his address in conjunction with this year's Pesta Kaamatan.

He said like other states, Sabah was rapidly developing in line with the national development agenda to raise the people's income through the provision of job opportunities and trainings at educational and training institutions besides being committed to implement the Economic Transformation Programme and Sabah Development Corridor (SDC).

"Hence I urge all Sabahans to be together with the government to support this aspiration so that the objective of 11MP can be realised," he said.

On the abduction incident in Sabah recently, Musa said it should not have recur as it brought a negative impact on the tourism industry and investors' confidence on the state.

As such he wanted immediate measures to be taken and mobilised to further strengthen the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) with more relevant and effective assets such as combat helicopters to safeguard security and sovereignty, especially in the east coast.

However he said the public also should play a role by reporting any suspicious ongoings to the security forces while business premises should stop recruiting foreign workers without valid documents as it could pose a security risk for the state.