Nothing wrong about RM50k allocation for school, says Sabah CM

BEAUFORT: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has defended Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi’s statement that there was nothing wrong with announcing a RM50,000 allocation approved for SMK Bongawan II.

“If the allocation has been presented in the budget, it is just to disburse it. The amount has been allotted, so we are not abusing our power.

“We can’t hold back allocations approved just because of by-elections.

"For example, if we want allocation for medical assistance here, for the polio vaccine for instance, how can we wait after a by-election, people will suffer or die.

He said this when asked about Mohamaddin stating that why can’t Parti Warisan Sabah do the same thing if Umno provided assistance and announced projects during elections in the past.

On another development, asked about a new district office which Shafie said will be formed to cater Membakut, Kimanis and Bongawan towns, the Chief Minister reiterated that it was not a new proposal and has been mentioned in 2013.

“It was an old proposal that I am looking into and have alerted the state secretary, But what is important is the office must be at the centre of everything, so that both Bongawan and Membakut folk do not need to travel far,” said the Warisan president at a function here on Sunday (Jan 12).

Earlier, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the Election Commission should take action against those who commit election offences in the days leading up to the Kimanis by-election.

He claimed that Pakatan Harapan politicians were still disobeying election rules, especially with their attempts at vote buying.

Dr Wee said that the most recent incident was when Mohamaddin announced that the government would allocate RM50,000 for the upgrading of facilities at a school under the Kimanis constituency.