KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government should disclose if the rural development projects in Sabah and Sarawak that were cancelled after Surat Setuju Terima (SST) or Letters of Acceptance would be reinstated, says Warisan vice-president Datuk Azis Jamman.
The government must clarify whether the affected projects would proceed, be re-tendered or implemented through other mechanisms, and provide a clear timeline, Azis said in a statement issued here on Tuesday (Oct 27).
He said the Federal Government should also disclose the locations, the value of the allocations involved and the specific reasons for each project cancellation.
Azis was referring to a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Parliament, as well as the Finance Ministry's explanation that the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) had made spending commitments exceeding its approved annual allocation for rural road projects.
"Such cancellations were of serious concern for Sabah as the state continues to face serious challenges in basic infrastructure, particularly rural roads, water supply and electricity.
"The project cancellations could have a direct impact on the rural communities still waiting for essential facilities and services.
"Sabah people should not become victims of weak planning, poor financial management or failures in government coordination," Azis added.
He said it was puzzling why rural development projects in Sabah and Sarawak were cancelled despite having already been issued Letters of Acceptance.
"How could the projects reach the SST stage if funding had not been secured in the first place? It raises major concerns over planning, financial management and coordination between ministries," he said.
He said those responsible for approving and subsequently cancelling the projects should be identified and held responsible, as such cancellations were affecting Sabah's rural development needs.
He urged both the Finance Ministry and KKDW to provide a transparent and comprehensive explanation, as the situation could be viewed as a failure of inter-ministerial coordination.
"If this is true, why were the projects allowed to go through approval and procurement processes until SSTs were issued before funding issues were raised?" he asked.
