LAMAG Assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin expressed disappointment with the State Government for asking only RM300 million from the Prime Minister to resolve the water crisis in Sabah which he described as having become a “cancer.”
“I have concerns. If the water problem is not dealt with properly, it will continue to be a cancer for Sabah.
“I am disappointed because the State Government informed the Prime Minister that the water problem in Sabah can be resolved with only RM300 million.
“The Prime Minister met me and said, so, Bung, if it’s like this, the water problem in Sabah is not that serious, only RM300 million.
“I said no, Yang Amat Berhormat. When I was the (Works) Minister, I did a study for five months and found we need between RM20 billion and RM23 billion. The PM said ‘The State Government proposed to me (Anwar) RM300 million’.
“So what? Can this resolve the water issue in Sabah, I want to ask the Minister or anyone why only requested for an allocation of RM300 million to resolve the water issue in Sabah...in Sandakan, people say it’s like in Palestine today because there is no water and no electricity,” he said when debating the 2024 Sabah Budget.
The Sabah Umno Chairman also sought an explanation regarding the Sukuk launched by SMJE Sdn Bhd and also Blue Economy.
Regarding the Sukuk, Bung asked about the extent of the risk management done before its creation.
“Our concern is that it uses various foreign currencies, whereas today we understand that these foreign currencies are affected by the world situation.
“If there is a war, for example, the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Palestine wars, it will certainly affect the foreign currency projections.
“So, is the Government or this company prepared for this?
“Please clarify so that we understand the direction of the investment and what our target goal is because there are also economic analysts out there who said if it is not managed well, this bond will become like 1MDB.
“We don’t want that and hope this good intention will be implemented in the best possible way,” he said.
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