The Federal Government has never failed to bring development to Sabah and Sarawak since the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.

He said Sabah and Sarawak had the same privileges as enjoyed by other states in Peninsular Malaysia.

"This is because the country's top leaders always recognised the position of Sabah and Sarawak which participated in the formation of Malaysia," he said at the Semarak Merdeka and Kadamaian state constituency community leader programme at Kampung Tambulion Laut, here.

Salleh said Sabah and Sarawak each had certain powers of autonomy while the views and voices of the leaders from both states were always heard at the federal level. He said this was evident when more leaders from both states were being appointed to hold important positions in the federal Cabinet.

Salleh, who is also Usukan state assemblyman, said the people should realise that many successes had been achieved under the administration of the federal government with the cooperation of the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak.

He said the consensus between the past and present leaders had succeeded in propelling Malaysia to become a developed and peaceful country.

At the function, Salleh also presented a donation of RM518,000 to the Village Security and Development Committee throughout the constituency besides approving an allocation of RM100,000 to repair the Kampung Tambulion Laut Multipurpose Hall.