KOTA KINABALU: There is a glaring disconnect between Sabah’s reported billions in timber revenue and the state’s ongoing failure to provide basic amenities such as clean water, consistent electricity, and proper road networks, says Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir (pic).
Suhaimi raised concerns over Sabah recording timber revenue of RM5.3bil since 1999, averaging RM213mil annually, while many Sabahans continue to lack reliable access to essential services.
"From Libaran to Likas, from Tawau to Tuaran, the people are asking a simple question, where has all of Sabah’s wealth gone?" he asked in a statement on Tuesday (May 13).
He noted that it is no longer just rural communities facing these issues; even in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital, power and water disruptions have become commonplace.
"Water tanks are no longer optional; they are a necessity. Electricity generators, once reserved for factories, are now being used in regular homes. This is the daily reality faced by ordinary Sabahans," he added.
Suhaimi also pointed out the poor state of road infrastructure, adding that many roads remain potholed and unsafe, with numerous rural areas in Libaran still waiting for basic development.
He stressed that this is a responsibility that should be prioritised by the state government.
"While we continue to hear announcements about forest certification, carbon plans, and ecological allocations, people are still lighting candles, storing water, and dodging potholes," he said.
Suhaimi questioned whether this is truly the progress being celebrated, alleging that the people of Sabah have long been patient.
"They are not against development. They are simply asking for their rights … the right to live comfortably with consistent and reliable basic amenities.
"These concerns should not be dismissed as scepticism or political rhetoric.
"If the state has earned billions, why are we still dealing with unresolved water, electricity, and road issues?
"This question is not about pointing fingers; it is about demanding responsibility," he stressed, adding that the people of Sabah deserve better.
