Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s ongoing power shortages stem from decades of inconsistent project management and lack of transparent planning across successive governments, said Upko Treasurer-General Dennison R Indang.
He pointed out how policy flip-flops have left Sabahans suffering from persistent blackouts and unreliable electricity supply, pointing to the cancelled Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline and delayed Ranhill power plant as prime examples of poor coordination.
“When the Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline was cancelled in 2016 due to integrity concerns, no clear backup plan was communicated to the public. This created an energy gap we are still paying for today,” he said in a statement, here, recently.
He cited similar issues with water infrastructure, including the Kaiduan Dam cancellation before the 14th General Election and subsequent revival of the Papar Dam project in nearly the same location, describing such reversals as damaging to public confidence.
He said the solution is not about political blame but establishing safeguards against future project disruptions and demanded a comprehensive audit of stalled energy projects, transparent public communication on infrastructure costs and a bipartisan framework protecting vital utilities from political interference.
“Sabah’s economic future depends on reliable power and water supply. We must protect long-term projects from changing political winds,” he said.