KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno has defended its track record in developing the state in the face of criticism from Sabah PAS, which raised questions about long-standing infrastructure problems.
Sabah Umno assistant secretary Alfian Sambas dismissed the remarks made by Sabah PAS secretary Sahar Abdul Majid, saying they lacked an understanding of government responsibilities.
He said current infrastructure issues, such as poor road conditions and water shortages, fall under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government, not Umno.
“Umno had many past contributions, such as the Pan Borneo Highway, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), hospitals, welfare programmes, and nearly 50,000 units of low-cost housing, all of which have significantly benefitted Sabahans,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (March 4).
Alfian also reminded GRS leaders of their Umno origins, cautioning against downplaying the party’s role in Sabah's development.
“As leaders, we must respect history and recognise the struggles that brought progress to Sabah,” he said.
Sahar had earlier urged voters to be cautious of recent promises made by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, arguing that Umno governed Sabah from 1995 to 2018 but problems like damaged roads, unreliable water supply and power shortages persisted.
He said repeated election promises never materialised and called them “empty rhetoric” that resurfaced during election campaigns while many rural areas still lack basic facilities.
The Sabah state election is due this year.
