KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno is ramping up its attack on the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government, accusing its leaders of being rhetorical with no meaningful progress seen in the state.
Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said there was a slow pace in infrastructure development though the state government claims to have resolved the infrastructure issues left behind by previous state governments.
“The reality is, until today, many areas in Sabah, especially rural areas, are still lagging in terms of basic infrastructure such as roads, clean water supply and electricity. In fact, it is getting worse,” Suhaimi, who is Libaran MP and a state nominated assemblyman, said in a statement.
On the issue of legacy, Suhaimi said both Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun should realise that they were part of the legacy of the previous Barisan Nasional state government as both of them were Cabinet members.
He said GRS in its four years in government has not been able to reduce the development gap between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.
“Sabah remains one of the states lagging in terms of basic facilities and economic opportunities with eight districts being categorised as the poorest districts.
“Nevertheless, the Chief Minister proudly announced that Sabah had successfully eliminated hardcore poor in August.
“But in September, he announced the addition of Rumah Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) to give homes to the hardcore poor. Is this the true picture of hardcore poverty that has been successfully resolved?” Suhaimi said, adding that giving differing statements only created doubts among the people and investors.
Suhaimi claimed the internal differences between component party partners in GRS reflected political instability due to a lack of leadership.
He said the local party agenda under the GRS “Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga” that emphasises the empowerment of local parties, was actually to mislead people to protect their positions and retain power.
Ironically, the GRS coalition partners include national parties such as PKR and DAP, he added.
Suhaimi noted that Hajiji himself had said there was a need for GRS to cooperate with national parties in the 17th state election but at the same time some of the GRS component party leaders think that the GRS should go it alone.
Suhaimi said Sabah’s economic growth was moving too slowly and this was confirmed by Masidi who said that until October 2024 Sabah’s revenue collection was low compared to last year.
“The reason given is that the government’s main revenue collection depends on the production of crude oil and palm oil. Sabah is rich in other products but is yet to be developed. Other sectors such as tourism, plantation and fisheries have not shown significant development,” Suhami said, referring to Masidi’s recent statement.
Suhaimi also questioned the outcome of signed MOUs including the Pavilion Harbour City urban project (RM2bil), Integrated Herbal Plantation and Lok Kawi Resort City (RM7bil) which were signed under the GRS government.
