BN ensuring its promises to Sabah folk are fulfilled
More being done to further boost state’s impressive growth record
WHEN one talks about Sabah, most people would think of the vibrant but laidback capital city of Kota Kinabalu (KK).
Visitors are impressed by the modern facilities at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), which mimics Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), and is often referred to as the mini KLIA.
They would likely be told of the top attractions like the scenic Kundasang, which is two hours drive from KK and home to Mount Kinabalu, and the islandhopping activities at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park comprising five islands located a few minutes’ boat ride from the city. They will also hear about Sepilok in Sandakan where the sanctuaries for orang utans, proboscis monkeys and Bornean sun bears are located.
So, when news of a family of 11 whose living quarters were swept away by mudslide at a Kinabatangan plantation, it might as well from another side of the world.
Three people survived the disaster which occurred between Friday night and early Saturday morning. Efforts to locate the missing children — believed to be buried under mud and debris — are ongoing. So far, five bodies have been found.
Search-and-resuce personnel have to battle with nature in the form of rain and thick mud.
Mudslides have happened in Sabah in the past, but this is one incident that is difficult due to the far-flung vicinity, making it hard for the SAR team to reach the district.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, while accompanying Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the latter’s recent working visit to Kota Marudu, said although Sabah’s growth had been impressive, more could be done.
“What is important is for the Barisan Nasional to ensure all its promises are fulfilled. It must continue to work for the betterment of Sabah folk,” Musa said at the Kota Marudu Umno division delegates’ meeting recently.
He said BN had a proven track record and had always kept its
promises unlike the opposition who would only visit villages and remote areas during election time.
“You will not see them meeting the people... only now. Their promises are empty talk,” he said in reference to Parti Warisan Sabah’s promise to set up a state education ministry if the party came into power.
Musa said it would require billions of ringgit to set up such a ministry and the opposition should not promise something they could not deliver.
Speaking to the delegates, Zahid said during the formation of Malaysia, it was decided that education and security should be under federal jurisdiction.
He described the opposition’s tagline “Sabah for Sabahans” as redundant because BN had been delivering all this while as it “walked the talk”.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has given empowerment (to Sabah) in many forms, through the legal aspects of Malaysia’s formation and outside the documented law. They are based on Sabah folk’s interests and welfare. Any promises not fulfilled can be discussed amicably as BN will consider them as long as they are reasonable.”
“Six months from now, I will return to Kota Marudu to check on the progress of projects being implemented here,” he said.
Last month, during his visit to Tawau, Zahid also promised to visit Sabah twice a month to check on the progress of projects being implemented in the state.