Political Stability Crucial for Investment and National Development, Says Anwar
SIPITANG: Political stability remains one of the most important factors in attracting investment and ensuring the government can focus fully on national development and public welfare, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
According to Anwar, a stable political environment provides confidence to investors and creates the conditions necessary for governments to implement long-term economic and social development plans effectively.
He stressed that political uncertainty often discourages investors from committing capital and can divert the government’s attention away from economic growth and the wellbeing of the people.
“When politics is unstable, investors become hesitant and governments are forced to spend more time dealing with political issues instead of focusing on development and improving the lives of the people.
“That is why I have consistently emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation between Sabah and the Federal Government so that development initiatives can be carried out efficiently and benefit the people directly,” he said.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Madani Link Project held at Dewan Lundayeh in Sipitang yesterday.
Among those present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister I and Sabah Works Minister Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam, Deputy Chief Minister II and Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, as well as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
Anwar said cooperation between state and federal administrations is essential to ensure that infrastructure projects and development programmes can be implemented without unnecessary delays.
He added that strong political ties and effective governance not only benefit local communities but also send a positive signal to investors seeking stable and predictable investment destinations.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the increasingly uncertain global economic landscape, which he said has been affected by geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global energy supplies.
According to him, conflicts in West Asia have contributed to instability in international energy markets, particularly due to concerns over major shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
“The world is facing considerable uncertainty because of geopolitical conflicts that have disrupted energy supply chains and pushed global oil prices higher.
“We have seen how some countries are struggling with fuel shortages and have been forced to take extraordinary measures to manage supply,” he said.
Anwar noted that maintaining strong diplomatic relations with other countries, together with domestic political stability, remains crucial in ensuring Malaysia’s energy security and economic resilience.
He pointed out that despite global challenges, Malaysia has managed to maintain the retail price of RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre, shielding consumers from the full impact of rising global energy prices.
The government, he said, has also adopted a targeted approach in implementing diesel subsidy rationalisation to ensure that vulnerable groups and essential sectors continue to receive support.
Farmers, fishermen, school bus operators and public transportation providers remain among the groups prioritised under the targeted subsidy framework.
“We are taking a balanced approach to ensure subsidies reach those who truly need them while safeguarding the country’s fiscal position,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anwar announced an immediate allocation of RM250,000 for improvement and maintenance works at all secondary schools in Sipitang district.
He said the funding would be used to upgrade basic facilities and improve the learning environment for students.
“Education remains one of the most important pillars of national development. We want to ensure that students have access to better facilities and a more conducive environment to pursue their studies,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the government remains committed to strengthening political stability, sustaining economic growth and ensuring development benefits are shared across all regions of the country.
He added that with strong cooperation between the Federal Government and the states, Malaysia would be better positioned to navigate global uncertainties while continuing to attract investments and deliver sustainable growth for future generations.
