INTERIOR ROAD MAINTENANCE PRIVATIZED?

DAP Sabah has received many complaints about roads poorly maintained especially in the interior areas such as Tenom and Keningau. DAP Sabah Assistant Secretary Junz Wong and his team who are currently visiting the Interior said many roads in the Interior such as Jln Ulu Kalipasu are only useable and passable with a 4WD.

The villagers informed the team that the roads are without proper maintenance since last July. In order to get a clearer picture on this matter, Junz with his DAPSY Complaint committee went to seek for clarifications at District Council of Tenom.

They were informed that an unknown company which has been appointed to undertake road maintenance in the district. Thereafter, District Council has lost their power to oversee or monitor the progress and quality of their work done.

Junz Wong who is also DAPSY KK Youth Chief said, according to the officer who declined his name to be quoted, this private company only deals directly with a Special Unit in the Ministry of Finance.

Even certification of payments for work done is directly dealt between this company and MInistry of Finance The local authorities such as District Office, District Council and even District JKR are being bypassed. The District Council has now become just a postman to deliver complaints from the road users to this company, but has no power to instruct them.

DAP Sabah wants the relevant Ministers to come clean on this road maintenance privatization project which appears to lack accountability and transparency. We also want the MACC to investigate this matter as it involves the people's money, Junz concluded. (DAP Media)