KOTA KINABALU: Sabah should not be afraid of exploring its rare earth resources as a way to increase revenue and boost economic growth for the state, said Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah.
He said Sarawak has been exploring these rare earth resources and Sabah should at its neighbour for example, if pollution is the reason behind second thoughts on exploring these resources.
“Sarawak is still alive. We should explore all of these natural resources in Sabah, so that Sabahans would enjoy the revenues,” said Masiung when debating on the Sabah 2026 Budget at the state assembly here, Monday (Dec 15).
Explaining why Sabah’s revenue had somewhat decreased, he said in the past, Sabah’s economy was driven by timber, petroleum and palm oil.
“Now, we don’t have timber anymore. The price of petroleum and palm oil is affected by the market value; it is not fixed, can go up and down,” he said.
On other matters, he said a sports complex in Tongod he promised to his people, has yet to be completed to this day.
“I have been bashed, cursed and criticised left, right and centre because the sports complex I promised the people of Kuamut is not yet completed,” said Masiung.
He urged the ministries involved to help monitor projects and ensure that they are completed within the stipulated time.
Masiung said the minister and assistant minister in charge should visit the Tongod sports complex site to find out why the progress was delayed and terminate contractors who fail to deliver.
He added that in the recent Malaysia School Sports Council (MSSM), Sabah was the champion, with some of the athletes from Tongod, despite Tongod not having any sports complex.
He asked the state government to help elected assemblymen fulfil their promises to the people for the sake of the stability of the state government.
