KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional is proposing three key steps to regain public trust in the state government following the corruption controversy that implicated 14 assemblymen under the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said a Sabah Free, Prior and Informed Consent (Sabah FPIC) Enactment should be introduced to protect native customary rights (NCR) land and ensure “no negotiations are made behind the people’s back”.
He said structural reforms for the state-owned Sabah Mineral Management company should also be undertaken to ensure zero political interference in its decisions.
“We also want the mineral company to be managed by independent professionals and not politically affiliated individuals,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Suhaimi, who is the Libaran MP, said priority should be given to locally-owned companies in all development and resource exploitation projects.
“These key steps will help restore public trust and ensure that resource management is transparent, trustworthy and serves the people,” he added.
Besides Umno, Sabah Barisan comprises MCA, MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).
Suhaimi said Sabah Barisan is seriously concerned over disclosures allegedly linking senior GRS leaders to the management of the state’s natural resources particularly through mining.
He said such allegations against members of the state administration undermined public confidence in the integrity of the state administration, adding that comprehensive and urgent reforms in managing Sabah’s natural resources were necessary.
Suhaimi said Sabah needed the “political courage” to defend the rights of its people.
“Great wealth means nothing if the dignity of the state is compromised. Sabah’s land is not for sale, it is to be inherited by future generations,” he added.
