Much research needed to develop rural Sabah
PENSIANGAN: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal yesterday said a comprehensive development plan was required to develop the state, especially in the rural areas.
He said the new Sabah government led by Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) would continue to bring change, especially in terms of developing Sabah to ensure everyone in the state enjoyed similar benefits.
“We see that many areas in Sabah have not changed, as there has been no development over the past 50 years ... so we, as the new government not only wants a change in government alone, what we all want is actual change, including the development of rural areas.
“There is no reason we cannot develop rural areas in Sabah if we have a comprehensive plan and the people continue to support the government,” he said when opening the 2019 Ilau Panawari Festival here yesterday.
Mohd Shafie said, however, there was much research to be done to develop the rural areas, to ensure it truly benefited the people.
“To develop a rural area like Pensiangan for example, we need research, and we need to understand what the people are facing in this area, so before opening this event I have had the opportunity to explore some of the areas here, and there is a lot to be done.
“We have received many applications to develop the area in Pensiangan such as upgrading of the roads in Pagalungan and Nabawan and I have directed Sabah State Development director Datuk Ruji Ubi to look into the applications as they require allocations and approval from the Federal government,” he said.
He said the government would work hard to improve public sentiments following the lack of development over the past 50 years by the previous administration.
“Previously civil servants were afraid to be sent to rural areas such as Pensiangan and Nabawan because these places are far off, and there is no development... there is a school but no shops, and the supply of water and electricity is also inadequate.
“So we as the new government want to change (the situation), however, the rural population needs to be patient as we only came to power seven months ago and we need time. It (the development) cannot be done overnight,” he added.
At the event, Mohd Shafie, who is also Finance Minister, announced an allocation of RM500,000 to upgrade the Sinsingon Market in Sapulut.
He said RM300,000 would be channeled from his ministry while another RM200,000 would be from the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco).
In addition, he also approved an RM50,000 allocation to repair the water pump at SMK Sapulut.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Ilau Panawari festival yesterday, he said it should be celebrated every year.
“It is important for us to hold these kinds of festivals every year as a tribute to various races in Sabah who have their own culture and history,” he said.