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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