Kota Kinabalu: Nabawan Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohamed Yassin has called on the State Government to ensure that allocations under the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025 are channelled effectively to rural communities still lacking basic infrastructure and amenities.
He said the Bill should reflect actual needs on the ground, especially in districts like Nabawan where issues such as road connectivity, clean water and electricity supply remain unresolved.
“Former logging roads have become the main access routes for villagers in Nabawan, and it is important that the Government continues allocating funds to upgrade and maintain these roads.”
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});He said this when debating the Bill tabled by State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun at the State Legislative Assembly, Monday.
He said roads, although not built for long-term public use, are now vital to villagers in the interior and should be treated as key infrastructure assets.
“The Government must also prioritise clean water supply in rural areas by supporting alternative solutions like gravity-fed piping systems and tube wells,” he said.
He said there are still areas in his constituency that have yet to enjoy access to electricity, and that this situation continues to hold back community development.
“My question to the Finance Minister is whether part of the additional allocation is being channelled directly towards unresolved infrastructure projects such as rural administration buildings, village and farm roads and drainage for flood-prone rivers,” he said.
He also questioned whether there would be specific funding to stimulate grassroots economic activity, particularly for micro-entrepreneurs and small rural businesses.
He proposed that support in the form of working capital, skills training and market access be provided to help strengthen household income and, by extension, State revenue.
Abd Ghani also suggested that implementation and spending reports on the supplementary allocation be made public on a regular basis through appropriate platforms to ensure transparency.
He said a monitoring committee under the State Finance Ministry’s permanent secretary office should be formed to track the performance of ministries and departments receiving the additional funds.
“The people will only feel the benefits of this supplementary allocation if it is executed efficiently and with integrity,” he said.
He added that the State must avoid situations where approved allocations are poorly implemented or, worse, lead to wastage and leakages.
He concluded by expressing full support for the Bill, with the hope that the additional allocation will be spent in a trustworthy and effective manner for the wellbeing of the people of Sabah.
“I fully support the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025, with the hope that the additional allocation will be spent responsibly, fairly and effectively for the benefit of the people of Sabah,” Abd Ghani said.