Up allocation of YBs to RM1.5m: Rahim
Published on: Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: The State Government should consider increasing the annual allocation of each State assembly member from RM1 million to RM1.5 million.Making the call, Pantai Manis assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail this in light of drastic demands and needs in their respective constituencies."Of the present annual funding, RM500,000 is allotted for 'Program Sentuhan Kasih' that provides various aid to people in need including natural disaster victims like flood or fire victims.
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"While another RM500,000 is normally spent for physical developments and sometimes it is not sufficient."Therefore, I am proposing that another RM500,000 be added to the annual funding so that we, as the elected representatives, can enhance and better our services in fulfilling the increasing needs and interests of our grassroots," he said.Rahim, who is also Sabah Barisan Nasional Backbenchers' Club (SBNBC) Chairman, said this when debating the State Budget 2016 at the State Legislative Assembly here on Monday.On development issues in Papar, he repeated his call to upgrade and give a facelift to the concrete Papar bridge near Kg.Buang Sayang along Jalan Papar – Kota Kinabalu (KK) new route.
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"This Papar bridge is over 100 years old and has historical value as it was built during the British Colonial times, which is an invaluable heritage and legacy inherited by the people in Papar."Therefore the, existence of the bridge can be an attraction for visitors to come to Papar. However, the physical image of the bridge needs to be given a facelift as presently it is an eyesore.
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"Not only that, the condition of the bridge must be upgraded as it has caused a bottleneck and affects traffic flow particular during peak hours and every Sunday, causing inconveniences to motorists," Rahim said.Rahim who is also Umno Papar Divisional Chief urged the State government to take proactive action to upgrade and beautify the bridge.On the development of River Waterfront in Papar town, he emphasised the need to expedite the process of commencing the construction of Phase Two of the project as it could drive the district's economic growth further and stimulate entrepreneurship development among small and medium-sized business people in the district."The project of building a waterfront or esplanade at the Papar River involves two phases the first of which costs RM10 million and the second another RM10 million for building extension of facilities up to the district mosque."So what I am claiming now is the commencement of Phase 2 as was promised for the project as the construction of Phase 1 is almost finished and I hope the relevant authorities would consider speeding up the process of beginning the development for Phase 2 that would further benefit the people," he said. Rahim also advised local authorities responsible for monitoring and regulating hill-cutting activities or removal of earth not to be "too obliged" to the operators.He said the authorities should seriously consider the surroundings like housing and public amenities as well as natural environment that may be affected by such activity when issuing permission to the operators to carry out the work (hill-cutting)."I received complaints from residents living near the Melinsung junction who fear the negative impact of the on-going hill-cutting activities at a land area near the junction."I was informed that the operator carries out the removal of the earth from his own land for land clearing purposes on another land in Kg. Laut in Papar for property development."Although the concerned authorities have already given the wayleave as well as received deposits from the operator as required under their respective provisions, they must seriously monitor the activity of removing the earth and ensure the activity does not have a bad impact on the people and environment especially now which is the monsoon season," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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