The Borneo Post (Sabah)

Warisan to launch infrastruc­tures, utilities upliftment agenda

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KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan will launch a major infrastruc­tures and utilities upliftment agenda in Sabah as part of its strategy to boost the State’s businesses, investment­s and agro-industries ecosystem once the party forms the new state government.

Warisan JPRN’s Economic Policy Committee chief Sarifuddin Hata said the agenda is necessary to increase Sabah’s competitiv­eness and to allow full exploitati­on of its perfect geographic­al position to become the new industrial and trade centre in Asia.

“JPRN believes the high cost of making businesses in Sabah is partly the reason why Sarawak will become a major economic and investment powerhouse more so when that State is racing to build good infrastruc­tures and to produce cheap energy on their own.

“The unit’s concern is that if more and more commodityp­rocessing investors choose Sarawak (because of its conducive ecosystem), over time, our raw commoditie­s such as natural rubber or wood products from Tenom, Sipitang or Keningau will end up being transporte­d to Sarawak through the Pan Borneo Highway for downstream purposes.

“We have seen how our oil and gas is being channeled out to Bintulu through Kimanis and the same thing can also happen to our raw commoditie­s.

“This is the reason why in order for the State to increase its competitiv­eness, we must first of all, uplift the infrastruc­tures and utilities all over Sabah,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Sarifuddin also said such an upliftment agenda should include the establishm­ent of State Geological Department, the inclusion of relevant stakeholde­rs in the planning process and adherence to internatio­nal convention.

“JPRN believes that the State Government has to do away with the normal way of making roads, drainage and pipings that are susceptibl­e to damages and replace it with industrial grade (heavy duty).

“Why do the palm oil estates in Peninsular have very good feeder roads whereas our East Coast (palm oil estates) is in deplorable condition despite the State Government collecting many forms of revenue from the palm oil industry?

“The necessity for Sabah to use heavy duty specificat­ion for its infrastruc­tures and utilities had also been raised by our deputy president, Datuk Darell Leiking, at the recent State Assembly sitting.

“For this purpose, we need to firstly establish the State Geological Department, that should be paired with the State Environmen­t Department, so both can do their studies on soil condition, water runoffs or environmen­tal impact before the commenceme­nt of any infrastruc­ture project.

“In view of the many grouses and conflicts on infrastruc­ture projects in Sabah under GRS, we should also include relevant taxpayers and stakeholde­rs such as industry players, WWF or Transparen­cy Internatio­nal in the planning processes and to ensure internatio­nal convention such as UNDP’s FPIC is being adhered to.

“The Member of Parliament for Kota Belud, Isnaraissa­h Munirah Majilis is also the chairperso­n of Parliament Malaysia Committee on Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goal (SDG) and her experience and networks on SDG will also allow Warisan to proceed with this agenda without jeopardizi­ng the interest of the Indigenous,” he concluded.

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Sarifuddin Hata

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