SPEECH BY THE GUEST OF HONOUR, Y.A.B. DATUK SERI PANGLIMA MUSA HAJI AMAN, CHIEF MINISTER OF SABAH, AT THE 16^TH INSTALLATION DINNER OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF LUYANG, AT THE SABAH ORIENTAL HOTEL, KOTA KINABALU, ON 7 JULY 2012

I am honoured to join you this evening for the 16^th installation of the Rotary Club of Luyang. This occasion marks yet another milestone for the club, and I am happy to note the presence of members who are here to celebrate the club’s past achievements, and to support work planned for the coming year. My congratulations go out to the Rotary Club of Luyang for a successful year, and to your newly elected President and board of directors. I trust that the newly elected team will carry on with the club’s proud traditions, and continue to serve the community.

Rotary is a reputable service organisation, which is now over a century old. Its longevity can be traced to its enduring appeal as a community and needs-based action-oriented organisation. Your vision for a peaceful and strife-free world reflects humanity’s age-old quest for the same goal. And I daresay that as long as people continue to strive for a better world, Rotary will remain relevant.

Largely due to the work of Rotarians, Rotary today is synonymous with selfless volunteerism and community service. The dedication demonstrated by Rotarians in helping the less fortunate and needy is well known, and Rotary is now widely recognised as an effective vehicle for bringing about positive changes at grassroots level.

I am informed that Rotarians are made up of people of diverse religious beliefs, creeds and vocations. What binds Rotarians together is their love for humanity and willingness to help the less fortunate. Your motto, Service Above Self, is noble and speaks volumes of movement, and Rotarians in general.

Since its establishment in Sabah over 50 years ago, Rotary has helped uplift the lives of various communities through its service projects. In thinking global and acting local, Rotary has touched the lives of many communities, and brought much joy and hope to those in need.

I have been told that at global level, Rotary has made significant contributions towards the eradication of polio, the promotion of peace and the creation of sustainable communities. I understand that the focus of Rotary in the immediate future lies in diverse project themes that range from peace and conflict resolution to disease prevention and treatment, and water and sanitation. Other items on your list include maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. I applaud Rotarians for tirelessly meeting the needs of the world through these significant areas of work.

Speaking as a public servant, I see the relevance and importance of Rotary’s areas of focus. These are issues facing many communities, especially the poor in developing countries. And while Sabah has made tremendous economic progress over the years, some of these issues still afflict some of our communities in the more remote areas. Let me assure you that the Sabah State Government is in cooperation with the Federal Government, working hard to improve the socio-economic status of remote communities through timely and relevant programmes. As a government that cares, we are committed in bridging gaps between regions, and in overcoming hardships faced by the people. No one must be left out as reflected in our development philosophy of inclusiveness under the 1Malaysia banner.

Currently, pertinent issues faced by the rakyat are being addressed via the Federal-led Government Transformation Programme and other initiatives. Along with Sabah State Government programmes, areas of focus include poverty eradication, education, health and rural basic infrastructure. The successful implementation of these initiatives will bring about an improved quality of life for all Sabahans, regardless of where they live in the state.

Having said this, there will always be people who remain less fortunate, and who despite our best efforts, somehow get left behind for a variety of reasons. People also face temporal hardships from time to time due to circumstances beyond their control. I believe that Rotary can play an important role in providing relief to those in need. Your services complement the government’s efforts in helping the poor, as temporary relief is often required before more lasting solutions can be found.

I understand that the theme for Rotary this year is Peace Through Service. This is an apt and timely theme, as conflicts and wars displace people around the world. Death, hunger, disease and loss of homes normally follow wars, and as such, prevention or resolution is prerequisite for a strife-free world. By promoting peace and conflict resolution, communities can be spared the ills that follow wars.

I am a big supporter of the Rotary movement and the work of Rotarians in Sabah and around the world. It is my hope that more people will be inspired by the spirit of Rotary and embrace volunteerism and community service for the good of the state and country.

I wish the Rotary Club of Luyang all the best, and that President Halim Egoh and his board of directors have a fruitful year. I am confident that the club will grow from strength to strength, and help spread the Rotary spirit to more people. Have an enjoyable evening ahead.

Thank you.