KOTA KINABALU: Sabah remains the only state where water services are still managed by a department, limiting access to direct federal assistance, says an Umno leader.
Sabah Umno assistant secretary Alfian Sambas said former state works minister and deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin had pushed for a water services commission to be set up to improve management and delivery.
“The proposal was submitted to the Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor) and the state Cabinet outlining clear solutions, yet it was (forgotten) without serious consideration,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (March 19).
He said the administration has claimed long-term solutions were being implemented, such as the Ulu Padas Dam and more water treatment plants.
“Projects that are still in planning or construction mean nothing if the people continue to suffer (from frequent water disruptions). What they need are immediate solutions, not (mere) promises,” he said.
He also cited the delayed Pan Borneo Highway project and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks expressing frustration over its slow progress.
“The Federal Government (is also) questioning why the Pan Borneo project in Sabah remains in limbo.
"This reflects not only (Putrajaya's) disappointment but more importantly, the frustration of Sabahans who have been waiting for this long-promised development,” he said.
Alfian urged the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-Pakatan Harapan administration to look at the reality on the ground and stop "political grandstanding" with media statements full of rhetoric and figures.
“The people of Sabah can judge for themselves whether their lives have truly improved or if they are still burdened by unresolved issues,” he said, pointing out worsening road conditions and frequent electricity supply outages as further examples.
Alfian also asked if the benefits of state aid reached the people it was meant to help, including RM300 monthly assistance for registered low-income households and RM5,000 grants for small traders.
“Do the figures in the e-Kasih database truly reflect the number of people living in poverty?
"How many have received the promised business grants?" he asked.
