Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal is expected to discuss several important issues with as yet unnamed leaders from southern Philippines when they visit the state capital next week.

Shafie said one of the topics discussed could be the safety aspects of Sabah’s east coast, as well as to strengthen cooperation with southern Philippines leaders in an effort to combat cross-border crimes plaguing the area.

“They (the leaders from southern Philippines) wish to meet, maybe about their situation in southern Philippines, especially about the new Bangsamoro leadership.

“I want the meeting to be seen as a new approach for us to work together to curb unwanted activities from happening, especially in the east coast of Sabah, because security is important.

“(It is) not just to protect human lives, but also to make sure the tourism sector can grow and be further developed in the area,” he told reporters after attending a Parti Warisan Sabah Christmas open house in Kota Kinabalu.

Meanwhile, Shafie also reminded the people of Sabah to reject extremism and racism as it could jeopardise the harmony and unity of the multicultural society in the state.

“Don’t be religious extremists either. We must hold firm to each other’s beliefs,” he said.

Earlier, in his speech, Shafie, the Warisan president, called on party leaders and members to work harder to fulfil the hopes of the people and take Sabah’s development to a higher level this year.

He also reminded party leaders and members to stop politicking and not to fight for posts or positions in the coming party election.

- Bernama