Bung Moktar laments underdevelopment in Sabah, says the state must not be left out

KUALA LUMPUR: Lack of development in Sabah is an issue that should be taken seriously by the Federal Government, says Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan).

The Sabah Deputy Chief Minister also said it is disappointing that as Malaysia celebrates its 58th anniversary, many areas in Sabah were still prone to floods while access to clean water and electricity remains problematic in his state.

"While Sabah was celebrating Malaysia Day, many districts were flooded and whenever it rains heavily around Kota Kinabalu, many roads would be inaccessible.

"Bridges would collapse and clean water as well as electricity is still an issue," he said when debating the motion of thanks on the Royal Address in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Sept 21).

Bung Moktar asked the Federal Government, the Finance Ministry and the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry to come up with a solution to solve the issue of floods plaguing Kota Kinabalu.

"The drains have been clogged for decades and that is why floods are prone to happen when it's raining heavily," he added.

He also said Sabah was a "victim of empty promises made by politicians in the previous general elections."

"During Barisan Nasional's time, we were promised RM1bil and even after they were replaced by Pakatan Harapan, it's still the same - nothing.

"When the Barisan government agreed to extend the Sandakan airport, it was then cancelled by Pakatan when they came to power.

"Then when the Sandakan by-election happened, Bagan (Lim Guan Eng) went to Sandakan and approved that airport project. But until today, there is nothing," he said.

Bung Moktar asked the current government to fulfil the promises made by the previous Barisan and Pakatan government to extend the Sandakan airport and also the Tawau airport.

"This is politics. When there's resentment, this (cancellation) happens," he said.

On another matter, he asked that Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof to accord Sabah's state works ministry technical recognition that is equivalent to those in other states.

"Don't persecute us in Sabah. There are thousands of qualified engineers in the Sabah Works Ministry, but they are not recognised by the federal government as an accredited technical department.

"I'm asking the Works Minister from Sarawak, please don't only look after Sarawak, but also remember about Sabah," he added.

Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah Works Minister, had recently called out for Sabah's Works Ministry to be recognised as an accredited technical department, giving it the authority to implement federal projects across the state.

Earlier, he told off Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) and Nga Kor Ming (PH-Teluk Intan) for interrupting his speech.

"Please don't disturb me. If my voice isn't pleasant, shut your ears. Later I will whack you ah," he jokingly said, before he continued his speech.