Kota Kinabalu: Senallang Assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the government should prioritise urgent infrastructure needs over impractical initiatives like the Sabah insurance scheme.
He questioned the logic behind the recently announced insurance scheme for all 3.7 million Sabahans, pointing out that funds should instead tackle water shortages, electricity failures and crumbling roads.
“While we in Sabah need financing to address water supply issues, electricity problems and road maintenance, why are we providing insurance to 3.7 million people? It sounds good politically, but is it practical?” he said when debating the government’s policy speech on Monday.
“Among those 3.7 million are wealthy people. Why do we need to insure the rich? What we need to do is to help the poor people in Sabah.
“Not many B40 people own cars. How frequently do they have accidents?” he said, requesting clarification on the premium payment structure.
“People’s problems at the grassroots level are not just about food and cost of living. We cannot depend solely on price controls from the Federal Government or assistance like the RM300 million from the Federal for water problems,” he said.
Additionally, he raised concern about Sabah’s fiscal management and investment strategy, questioning the government’s spending priorities.
“What steps are being taken to ensure existing revenue is properly managed? Unfortunately, I see revenue that is not substantial but leakages that are,” he said citing wasteful spending on office rentals while government-owned buildings remain vacant.
“Look at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephen, empty buildings. At Yayasan Sabah, there are still empty buildings. But where are we renting? Renting at Hap Sing building? Renting at private buildings along Yayasan Sabah? Sabah Energy Corporation?
“Why are we paying hundreds of millions in rent when that money is important to ensure our future generations can benefit as much as possible.
“We are building a nation here. We are not enriching ourselves with the power we have. It is not to enrich yourself but to build a nation to ensure the future of our children is secured,” he said.
Shafie also questioned the practicality of announced industrial parks in Kudat, Kota Belud and Beaufort, asking whether any investors had made commitments when Sabah is faced with water, electricity and road issues.
He questioned the government’s decision to outsource management of investments in the Sepanggar Port to foreign entities.
“Can Sabahans not manage our own investments? In Sarawak, their state government fought to manage Bintulu Port themselves,” he said.
He also called for transparency regarding the reported RM6 billion in investments, asking how much has materialised.
“How many of that have been realised in terms of job opportunities and business chains? I ask that companies that have invested be named, the number of jobs created be disclosed and the percentage of local workforce involvement be revealed, providing a comprehensive audit.
“We have to verify through audit how to study the effectiveness and benefits that we can do as best as possible,” he said.
