Kota Kinabalu: Basic amenities and infrastructure such as clean water supply, electricity, roads and mobile telecommunication are still big issues faced by the people in Sabah.
“The lack of basic amenities such as water and road connectivity are a recurring dilemma for the people and especially bad in the villages,” said Sungai Manila Assemblyman Mokran bin Ingkat (BN) during the debate session at the State Legislative Assembly.
Urging the State government to look into fulfilling the need for basic amenities for the people, Mokran expressed hope a reasonable sum of the RM2.369 billion can be channelled to tackling the problem of basic infrastructure, which also includes paving of roads in villages.
In regards to water supply, Mokran acknowledged the State government’s efforts to ensure Sabah’s water security, but questioned the late completion of water infrastructure projects. Among them include the Tawau Water Supply Project which only reached 6.93 per cent and the Kaiduan/Papar Dam which remains at research stage.
“It is hoped due attention is given on ensuring water supply projects are completed on time to ensure Sabah’s water security before we face another long drought season,” he said.
Furthermore, Mokran agreed with opposition Sulabayan Assemblyman, Jaujan Sembakong, that the state’s internet coverage needs to be improved.
“We are still waiting for the results of Jendela and other internet connectivity initiatives, but unfortunately some coverage is still unsatisfactory and not yet stable,” she said.
Following the government’s emphasis on agriculture, Mokran hopes that local people will be involved in the agrofood industry. “We don’t want to be advanced in the agriculture sector but monopolised by outsiders,” he said.
He pointed that deepsea trawler-based non-traditional commercial fisheries are mainly dominated by foreigners than locals. As a result, Mokran lamented this sector provided less benefit to local fishermen, and urged for more efforts to attract the youth to participate in the industry.
“The government needs to find new approaches to attract the youth to work as modern fishermen,” he said.
Mokran also praised the government for increasing allocations for assemblymen to RM2 million next year, which will be help expedite development initiatives in their own areas.
In relation to the budget, he proposed a series of measures for consideration which include continuing efforts to enhance government delivery systems, making it mandatory for decision-making heads attend important meetings such as District Development Taskforce and Land Use Taskforce Meetings (LUC) and ensuring main departmental staff are present to carry out on-field inspections without making repeat visits to reach a decision.’
Mokran also expressed his gratitude to the government for allocating RM5 million for the construction of an Islamic centre in Sungai Kayu, Sandakan, scheduled for completion by 2023.
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