RM50m allocation for P'pang a gimmick, says Siambun
Published on: Thursday, February 04, 2016
Penampang: The RM50 million allocation to Penampang announced by Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri was a mere political gimmick as it had always been the Government's obligations to develop the State, including Penampang despite it being held by the opposition.Moyog Assemblyman Terrence Siambun challenged Ismail to prove that the money is not another "gula-gula" for Penampang voters in Barisan Nasional's effort to recapture the constituency."His last statement asking the people to vote for BN in exchange for the allocation only showed how suspect his intention is," he said in a statement.ADVERTISEMENT On Monday, Ismail reportedly also approved the upgrading of all the feeder roads in Penampang, Kapayan and Moyog as well as allocation to complete a church, the construction of which was supposed to have started in 1999. Siambun, who is also Sabah PKR Information Chief, said other than its failure to upgrade the many roads in Penampang, the Government also failed in their duties to provide better infrastructure to communities in Long Pasia.Recently, he said, a visit to Sipitang and Long Pasia revealed that the 120km road had never been paved and the condition would worsen during rainy seasons."Ismail should look into that problem before flaunting BN's 'beauty' in Penampang which they had represented since 1999 before losing in the last general election. He should be embarrassed with Long Pasia's never ending road problem, as it had always been BN's stronghold, he said.ADVERTISEMENT "The Federal Government should be more concerned about the people there instead of focusing all its effort to win back Penampang seats," he said. He added that it does not mean that he does not appreciate the RM50 million allocation, but Ismail actually used it to condemn the opposition when it had always been the Government's obligation to serve the people after collecting so much taxes from the people.
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"Utilise the tax money by upgrading the roads statewide. The community in Long Pasia expressed their dissatisfaction towards the Government's failure to look into their needs. They only want the road upgraded so their life can be improved economically," he said.Siambun said the Government must be sincere in rendering their assistance to Sabahans, including those in the rural areas as the people there also contribute to GST."Do not use the taxpayers' money to promote BN but carry out your duties as a government," he said, adding that he was confused when Ismail said Federal Ministers do not need to approve any allocation had the people voted for BN.The statement, he said, is a total contradiction to the actual reality when in the past 30 years of BN representing Penampang, BN parliamentarian and assemblymen needed to get the State Government and the Federal Government's approval for development funds to develop Penampang.Meanwhile, Siambun said he applauded the Federal Government's approval of the Water Treatment Plant, worth RM48 million, to be built in Moyog.The issue was highlighted by Siambun in the State Assembly sittings in the past and the project was finally included in the 11th Malaysia Plan. The project will provide clean water for the people in Moyog and surrounding areas.However, he said, he hoped that the project will commence immediately and not delayed as what had happened to the Moyog secondary school which was approved by the Prime Minister in 2012 but had yet to start construction.Siambun also said Ismail should not blast the opposition for criticising the Government as it is the assemblymen's obligation to voice out the people's problems."The Government had been in their comfort zone far too long and it is time to make them work and serve the people. It is their constitutional obligation. The people in Penampang are more aware of their rights and not easily swayed by the promises of more development if they voted for the Government."Any government must develop and help the people even if a constituency is represented by the opposition. All the more, the people of Penampang are watching and monitoring how the Government uses the taxes paid by them.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"I believe Penampang folk can see the differences between now and before they were represented by the opposition. It is obvious that all the major development could have been done before this," he said.