Rep’s statement draws flak from Fishermen Association
KOTA KINABALU: The Sandakan Zone Fishermen Association has expressed regret over a statement made by Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong that the problem of lack of supply and fuel subsidy never occurred when the Pakatan Harapan and Warisan Plus were in power at the federal and state levels.
Its chairman Saiful Bahari Hj Muin claimed Calvin was ignorant of the real situation, and simply made statements without seeking clarification from other parties involved, such as the association, LKIM and other related agencies.
Saiful said that such problems had also occurred during the Warisan/PH era when Calvin was an assemblyman on the government side.
“In fact, it also happened during previous governments. It is unreasonable for Calvin to blame the GRS government in Sabah which has just held the reins of government for six months,” he said.
According to Saiful, the issue of fuel supply disruption for several days here has been resolved, and it was related to the issue of fuel tax.
“Now the fishermen can go back to sea as usual. This tax issue is also not a new thing because during the Warisan government, Calvin never fought for it or he was unaware of such matters,” Saiful said.
“Calvin should not simply throw stones to cover himself. Don’t politicize this issue as he should look back at the Sandakan garbage collection problem which became the butt of a joke that went viral in social media when Warisan was in power.”
Saiful said fishermen in Sandakan were grateful because Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, diligently surveyed and made decisions in line with the people’s thinking.
At the federal level, Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee is the minister responsible for the Fisheries and Agriculture Industry who is a native of Sabah.
“What’s more, government incentives continue and various other forms of assistance from the federal government are also enjoyed by fishermen,” he said.