PAPAR: Stronger Sabah-Federal cooperation must continue to be strengthened to address infrastructure problems and meeting the people’s development needs, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
He said close ties and solid cooperation between the Sabah and Federal Government are crucial so that the state’s development agenda, including resolving various infrastructure issues, particularly in the maintenance and upgrading of public facilities, can be implemented effectively.
“Infrastructure development is not just about building new facilities. Existing facilities also need continuous funding for maintenance and repairs.
“Once a road has been built, the work does not end there. Roads deteriorate over time and eventually need to be repaired,” he said.
Armizan, who is also the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, said this in his speech during the Jalur Gemilang Merdeka Tour programme with residents of Kampung Sekayan here recently.
He said unpredictable weather, particularly floods, could speed up road deterioration and increase the need for repair works.
He noted that several roads in Papar, built 10 to 20 years ago, now required maintenance and upgrading.
Armizan said the rising cost of infrastructure maintenance had also increased the funding needed for such works.
“The government is not unwilling to repair damaged facilities, but funding constraints and rising costs must be taken into consideration,” he said.
He stressed that cooperation between the Federal and state governments was essential to resolving issues affecting the people.
“Datuk Seri Ghulam Haidar Khan and I must work together to resolve the people’s problems,” he said, referring to the Kawang assemblyman.
He also said such cooperation would help the state leadership, including Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor, and support efforts by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to increase Sabah’s revenue.
“The people’s problems cannot be solved through speeches or words alone. They require stronger and continuous cooperation,” he said.
