Sabah should not over rely on mineral extraction
KOTA KINABALU: The GRS-led State Government has been urged to not over rely on mineral extraction type of investments in Sabah and should comply with certain criterias before future activities can take place.
Making the call, Parti Warisan Vice President Terrence Siambun said mineral extraction type of investments is not really beneficial to Sabahans unless the elements of corruption/abuse of power are totally eradicated, there is transparent governance and the stakeholders, including NGOs, are empowered.
“These are the some criterias needed to protect the local populance’s interests and we must also study why, despite the massive mineral extraction activities taking place, some African countries such as Zimbabwe remained poor,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
“Warisan’s idea of building the State’s economy is through the ‘diversified downstream activities on the three core sectors’ that can generate tens of thousands of long-term employment to our youths and not primarily on mineral extraction.
“Obviously we need good enablers such as infrastructures, utilities and communications spread all over the State to increase efficiency while at the same time, to reduce the cost of doing business through accountable and transparent governance.
“We need to rebuild these enablers, that are neglected by GRS, very quickly and I believe the commitment and passion on the part of Warisan’s leaders can make this a reality.
“After all, the party had proven itself on the MA63 by coming out with the 21 issues in mere 17 months,” he said.
Siambun also said that as the trustee of the state, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor Hajiji should have also firstly ascertained the current and future value of the minerals to be extracted and thereafter, to put the limit on its extraction.
“Many of these minerals such as silica sands took million of years to make so it is only logical that the government firstly ascertain its current value and do research on its future value based on expected global demand.
“Imagine if the value of these minerals goes up multifold in five or 10 years from now due to global scarcity - Sabah may have very well missed out the chance of making billions of dollars in terms of revenue due to the imprudent decision made by GRS today.
“So the basic question that Hajiji as the trustee should answer now is, ‘is it the right time for these minerals to be extracted and did the State Government actually conduct its research on the future global demand?
“If it is the right time, then what is the limit of the extraction? A few thousands of tonnes?
“As the trustee of the State, Hajiji is obliged to enlighten us on these matters immediately and should not keep quiet,” he concluded.