SANDAKAN: Barisan Nasional has unveiled a three-step plan to fast track Sabah’s water and electricity projects and streamline delivery.
Umno Sabah information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said procurement for major water projects will be shortened to 12 to 18 months and a Project Delivery Unit under the Chief Minister’s Office will be established.
He added that Sabah Electricity will be reformed to ensure grid stability within five to eight years and said the measures cut prolonged approvals and eliminate decision paralysis that slowed key infrastructure works.
“The delays in the critical projects mentioned by Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali stem from long-standing systemic problems,” he said.
Suhaimi said these include complex water department bureaucracy, slow and layered procurement, and coordination with federal funding.
“These issues were compounded by weaknesses in the GRS political leadership,” he said.
He then said this led to decision paralysis in major projects.
Suhaimi said the pledge comes amid what he called an attempt by Armizan to shift blame for stalled development.
He said Armizan recently claimed Sabah lost two years due to actions by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
He said it is inaccurate to pin the issue on a single minister as the core failure lay in the coalition’s inability to manage the government effectively.
“Voters can see who offers solutions, who has experience and who can deliver,” he said.
He said Barisan’s roadmap aims to stabilise electricity, speed up water projects and remove bureaucratic delays.
“Others may continue with slogans, Barisan works,” he added.
He issued the statement on Wednesday (November 19).
