All eyes are on the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, as Santa Claus with “goodies” for Sabah in his visit to the State tomorrow.
As reported by the Star yesterday, among the “goodies” for Sabah expected from the Prime Minister are announcements:
• Abolishing the controversial Department of Federal Development Sabah (JPPS) set up when the state was ruled under the then-opposition Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) in 1991 and to channel federal development funds through the Sabah Development Office;
• More federal funding for projects in the state.
• A high-powered Cabinet panel to work on the framework of a long-term solution to Sabah’s complex migrant problem; and
• Immediate standardization of the prices of subsidized goods nationwide.
What about 20% oil royalty for Sabah?
Lets wait until tomorrow to see what are the goodies Abdullah has in store for the people of Sabah. The March 8 political tsunami in Peninsular Malaysia has a Cinderella-effect on the people of Sabah in transforming them from among the most marginalized to “king-maker” holding in their hands the very survival of the Barisan Nasional federal power.
Hence the “goodies” in Sabah tomorrow!