SABAH DAP COMMITTED ON RURAL

By: DAP MEDIA

Sabah DAP State Liaison Committee has appointed Dr Benjamin Yapp as Sabah DAP Parliamentary Liaison Chief for Interior cum Sabah State Rural development Bureau Chairman to improve the socio-economic development of the rural communities.

Since Dr Benjamin Yapp, a veteran Politician who had devoted 12 years in PBRS-BN as a senior Party leader, first joined Sabah DAP in May 2010, he made a pledge to contribute towards the socio-economic development for the rural populations, particularly in Keningau and Tenom through his involvement in the politics of development and hopes. Dr Benjamin Yapp does not expect any kind of rewards but his main concern is the people’s interest above all, particularly in the rural areas that inspired him to focus his attention in the interior.

Dr Benjamin Yapp in his statements said that as “Sabah DAP is committed towards improving the standard of living of the people of Sabah, particularly the rural populations, he has made plans to undertake his voluntary services in order to help bring progress to the rural communities”. Dr Benjamin is a visionary leader who has visions to develop the State into a well-established.

Self-reliant and rich State through the various innovative systems of approach, particularly in rural development planning, monitoring and evaluation as many of the aspects of rural development have been approached systematically for decades.

But, unfortunately in Sabah, the situations are far different from that of Peninsular Malaysia. Sabah on the other hand is regarded as the poorest State in Malaysia as opposed to Peninsular Malaysia that is so well-established with one of the world’s ultra modern infrastructures and facilities that Sabah is still far lacking behind and the reasons are obvious.

As far as Sabah DAP is concerned, we can do our humble parts by looking into the basic needs of our people, particularly those rural folks who are badly in need of our assistance, and professional guidance. As we do not have access to the resources and development funds, we can still do something for the people in our own ways.

If, however, any party forms the Government, then it is its duties and responsibilities to develop the nation. Government leaders and politicians should learn to accept constructive criticisms and suggestions and not feel cross against any good opposition leaders who have innovative, creative ideas and have good intentions for improvement in our society.

As for the rural populations, we need to encourage the local people in the interior to be skillful, innovative and help improve the rural populations to adapt to adverse or changing conditions. They cannot expect to improve their socio-economic development with their usual “kampong mentality” like taking life easy, drinking, wasting valuable time in unnecessary pastime and depending on their family lands for a living.

They cannot depend on old ways of planting and farming methods for long. Dr Benjamin said that many of the obstacles related to planning in a political context result from an inadequate sense of responsibility on the part of leaders and citizens in relation to social, economic, or emotional aspects detrimental to their growth and existence needed to be looked into seriously.

Rural development programs relating to socio-economic development for the rural populations involve social, economic and environmental dimensions. We have to identify a portfolio of rural development projects that will help bring about the future conditions and development as expected by the rural communities stated Dr Benjamin Yapp in his media statement from Keningau.

Sabah DAP rural development Bureau shall introduce “Agro-enterprise” management approaches relating to production chains, market studies, and business plans at the appropriate time with the help of professional consultants for professional advice and expertise towards improving the knowledge of rural communities on the existence and management of bio-diversity and soil fertility to enhance success in the agro-based industry in the rural areas. As rural development has been a major concern of the rural populations in relation to the State’s economic growth, social and political development, we should endeavor to find ways and means to develop our rural communities.

The incidence of poverty in Sabah is very high, coupled with lack of basic rural infrastructures, inadequate public amenities and utilities in the rural areas that have resulted in lack of initiatives, low productivity and the like.

Sabah DAP interior encouraged the rural communities to come forward to work together as entrepreneurs towards the eradication of poverty by participating in all forms of social and economic activities and the people’s development programs that would enhance their standard of living.

The Bureau shall implement certain community programs and agro-based projects that would improve the rural standard of living. Sabah DAP urged the Government to reduce prices of fuel and essential communities as well as to improve the basic rural infrastructures, public amenities and utilities so that the rural communities can improve their socio-economic development and progress in time to come.