Wednesday 3 October 2012

NOT TRUE LACKING DEVELOPMENT IN SABAH




KOTA KINABALU: Development is a never ending commitment while infrastructure, especially water and electricity is being implemented at a most rapid pace in Sabah, contrary to a survey claim.

At the same time, both development and infrastructure are localized and these are not often highlighted in the media, according to Sabah UMNO Deputy Chief, Datuk Salleh Said Keruak.

Hence to state that there is a lack of development and poor infrastructure is not accurate, when all sorts of development is taking place throughout the state all the time – the KK airport extension, the ammonia and urea plant, power producing stations, roads, industrial parks etc.

“Rural water and electrification programmes have picked up in pace over the last few years and it is only the exceptionally remote areas with small communities that are still without piped water and electricity,” said Salleh in reference to a Merdeka Centre survey report.


“Even then, the government is doing its best to provide water tanks and gravity water as well as generator-powered electricity to the remote villages in the interim."

Salleh said people often complained about the lack of development or poor infrastructure as these are common issues, “but those who have got both are appreciative of what the government is doing or has done”.

But he acknowledged that some problems cannot be solved overnight; it is deep-rooted and when steps are taken to clear the matter, some people would be happy but there would also be others who would object.

The survey, jointly funded by Merdeka Centre and a regional consultancy firm, was carried out from Sept 6 to 17 to gauge perceptions of current developments in Sabah. It reported that some people had complained about lack of development and poor infrastructure as well as highlighted the illegal immigrant situation

The report claimed that a total of 829 registered voters throughout the state were interviewed and that there were those who felt the state was headed in the right direction and expressed continued satisfaction at the pace of economic development and the continuing peaceful conditions in the state.

Not wanting to dismiss outright the report, Salleh however did say that looking at it objectively,it gives the Sabah BN the opportunity to know what’s in the minds of the people and to takeproactive action to address outstanding issues.

“If what has been reported is correct, then the Sabah BN must take stock of the situation and take steps to correct the misperception that development is lagging.

“Our elected representatives should point out the inaccuracies to the people, and should highlight various development and infrastructure projects, in the local media or using their own efforts, such as a community newsletter, face book or their own blogs.


“It would not be fair to say that there has been a lack of development when a huge chunk of the State budget, supplemented by federal funding, goes into all sorts of development.

As for the illegal immigrants, Salleh said that now that the Royal Commission of Inquiry has started its mission, it should be left to the wisdom of its members to carry out their task, and those with grouses, can go up and meet them.

“But let us allow them to carry out their job in the mean time and see what their recommendations are at the end of the day. The government is indeed serious about tackling the illegal immigrant issue and all concerned should lend their support.

It has been reported that the Commission would also investigate whether immigrants in Sabah who possessed the blue identity card, temporary identification receipt (blue) or citizenship in an illegal manner had been registered in the electoral roll.

It has been given six months from Sept 21 to complete the investigation. The investigation report must be submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

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