Kota Kinabalu: Tension broke out over the slow flood mitigation project in Manggatal during Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan’s winding-up speech.
The exchange began when Darau Assemblyman Azhar Matussin raised concerns about flooding in Kampung Rampayan and its impact on residents.
“When can the flood mitigation be done? In a year, there have been more than 20 flood instances and every time it floods, we send aid. This does not provide any benefit to the impacted villagers,” he said.
“I think it would be better to focus first on the Kuala area, at the Sungai Manggatal basin. That is what should be pushed forward because water gets blocked there.
“If the flood mitigation completion is still far away, it means Kg Rampayan residents will continue to suffer for several more years,” he said.
Jeffrey responded by saying that most of the flood mitigation project in Rampayan was nearly complete, but faced obstacles with relocations.
“Most of the flood project in Rampayan is almost done. There are only one or two problems.
“One of them is that people who should relocate so work can be completed have not moved despite compensation having been paid,” he said.
“If possible, YB Darau, please help. They (residents) have already received RM600,000 for that compensation,” Jeffrey said, prompting a rebuttal from Darau.
Darau, in response, said “YB Menteri, if the Ministry cannot make them (residents) listen, why would they listen to me? What advantage do I have?”
“I am asking the Ministry to do something. In other places, everyone has already relocated. There are no more excuses,” Darau said.
Jeffrey reiterated that compensation has been paid and agreements made, suggesting again that Darau, as the local representative, do something to convince residents to relocate.
“What power do I have? I am just an elected representative,” Darau said, urging the Ministry to use the laws that are available to address the issue.
Jeffrey was also grilled about the Ministry’s six-year Rural Agricultural Economic Revolution (RAER) plan scheduled for official launch in May with an annual allocation of RM10 million.
“Of course, the funding is not sufficient, but we need to start somewhere,” he said.
By implementing double cropping, he projected that yields could increase from the current three tonnes per hectare to potentially 12 tonnes per hectare.
“This is a collaboration between the State Government, Federal Government, State agencies, district offices and communities, meaning everyone from villages to sub-districts is involved,” Jeffrey said in response to Sulabayan Assemblyman Datuk Jaujan Sambakong, who asked for specifics on implementation and targeted beneficiaries.
Sulabayan responded, saying “Involved? There must be clear targets and numbers. For example, if we are talking about rural communities and villages, we must have concrete data.”
Jeffrey said the programme was initiated precisely because it is the only way to ensure more aggressive rural development movements.
He said to address farmers’ concerns about selling their produce, the Government has set up the Sabah Agriculture Marketing Authority (Sama).
“When we help them (farmers) with production and ask why the lands are not being cultivated? They give three reasons.
“First, no roads - so we build roads. Second, no seeds - so we provide seeds. Third, they ask where to sell their produce and who will buy it.
“That is why we established a marketing network,” he said, outlining how the authority would solve the marketing challenges farmers face.
On the issue of smuggled poultry with no Halal certification, he said it was beyond the Sabah Veterinary Services Department’s jurisdiction.
“We require cooperation from Customs and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
“Secondly, all seized poultry products are destroyed, not distributed for sale. This is because we do not know their origin and they might not be halal-certified,” he said, responding to Merotai’s question over the matter.