By The Borneo Post onSabah
Bung Moktar (fourth from left) with Umno assemblymen and party leaders at the state assembly on Monday.
KOTA KINABALU (Apr 14): Lamag assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said one of the reasons he withdrew his support for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government was because the Chief Minister did not heed his proposals to address infrastructure issues in the state.
When replying to Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah’s question while debating the government’s policy speech on Monday, Bung Moktar said, “Yes, Yang Berhormat Kuamut. Perhaps I have explained this before, you may not have been in the hall. I have explained that when I was the minister in charge, I submitted a three -inch-thick proposal to the Chief Minister.
“But the Chief Minister did not pay attention to it. And that was one of the reasons I declared that I was leaving the GRS government, because they ignored the proposals meant to solve the people’s problems,” said Bung Moktar who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah and Umno Sabah chief.
Masiung asked the former state Works Minister if he agreed that the then state government was drafting a strategy plan to resolve the ‘tiga serangkai’ issues that were affecting the state namely, water supply, electricity supply and the condition of roads in Sabah.
“Does the assemblyman for Lamag agree that the GRS-PH government, which was once supported by the Lamag assemblyman two years ago, had planned a strategy to address the “three-in-one” issue previously mentioned namely water, electricity and roads?
“Because I recall that back when the Yang Berhormat Lamag was part of the state leadership as Minister of Works, when we as ordinary assemblymen raised concerns about problems with water, electricity and roads, the Lamag assemblyman at that time, as minister, told us to ask the people to be patient.
“This was because the government at the time was drafting a short-, medium- and long-term solution strategy. And I believe and am confident that the current government is continuing the implementation of those strategies that were formulated back then. And we are still being patient as we await a complete resolution from the government,” said Masiung.
Masiung also asked Bung Moktar if the proposal was submitted at a Cabinet meeting to which the latter replied, “Yes, but there was no action taken. That’s why I said the government does not care about the people’s problems.”
Bung Moktar also raised the issue of the establishment of a cement factory in the middle of the forest between Pinangah and Tongod as he wanted to know its current status.
“I’ve been informed that the company collaborating with the State Government has withdrawn. I have also been told by villagers that there are logging activities happening. Is it true that the cement factory was never established?
“I was against it from the beginning. A cement factory in the middle of the forest where there are no roads, no electricity, no water. Meanwhile, even the cement factory in KKIP is struggling to stay competitive. Why was it planned in the middle of the forest? Even driving there is difficult, you would need a helicopter to see it. I don’t know who is involved. But I want an explanation because the people have the right to know.
“Secondly, recently there was also the issue of the issuance of a prospecting licence to the company Syarikat Lincah Hebat Sdn Bhd. I’m not questioning the issuance of the licence itself. What I am questioning is that this company is not qualified. How can such a company be licensed for mining exploration? It’s practically bankrupt.
“This is the issue at hand. So, I urge the state government, not to get defensive or angry when the people criticize. We must be transparent about our failures,” he said.
Bung Moktar lamented that Sabah suffers from the ‘tiga serangkai’ issues which have remained unresolved even after more than 60 years of independence and despite the changes in governments as well as Chief Ministers.
“I believe the time has come for us to put an end to these issues. The people of Sabah cannot continue to live in this kind of suffering. Sabah must progress and develop beyond other states. This should be embedded in the minds of all leaders. Whoever wins the next election, please ensure Sabah rises above these problems.
“The people want clean water in their homes, they want roads, they want their children to go to school and hospital. Mothers want clinics for childbirth, they want uninterrupted electricity, and even that we struggle to provide. How did we get here?” Bung Moktar asked.
Masiung again interjected and touched on two issues Bung Moktar had spoken about, povery and the cement plant in Tongod.
“First, the issue of poverty. I truly sympathize and I feel deeply affected because among the eight poorest districts in Sabah are Kuamut, Tongod, and also Kinabatangan. Earlier, the issue of establishing a cement factory in the middle of the forest in Tongod was also brought up.
“Does the Yang Berhormat Lamag agree that the State Government’s plan to build a factory in a rural area, where normally such development only happens in urban areas, is actually a long-term solution to eradicate poverty in Tongod?
“Because we all know that the establishment of such factories will create job opportunities for the local community. And indirectly, it will help lift individuals and families trapped in poverty by providing them employment. This is part of the effort to eradicate poverty,” he opined.
Secondly, Masiung pointed out that the creation of a factory will inevitably lead to the provision of basic amenities like water, electricity and roads for the area which would benefit the local community and ease the burden on members of parliament and state assemblymen in seeking allocations for these basic needs.
”I do agree, but we have to use common sense. Can this really be implemented or not? Building it in the middle of the forest with no existing infrastructure or facilities, how feasible is that? Even the cement factory in KKIP is struggling to avoid losses.
“So how can this be done? This is fact, not fiction. While we want development and job creation, the first thing we need is a sufficient electricity supply. Right now, our electricity is only just enough for domestic use. We cannot even attract investors. When the Investment Minister invites investors, they come, but leave the next day.
“There’s no electricity. If we want to attract investors and create jobs, we need an extra 3,000 to 5,000 megawatts of electricity. Only then can we bring in investors and create job opportunities.
“If we want to help the people, then let’s help them properly, with fairness and logical thinking. This is an opportunity to develop our people. And I see great potential in agriculture. I have said before that we need to empower agriculture in Sabah,” Bung Moktar stressed.
