Setback for Pulau Gaya plans: CM
Published on: Friday, November 25, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: CM Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the reported water and electricity shortages affecting residents in Pulau Gaya was a setback to the State Government's plans to develop the "important" island.He said the Government had sought the help of experts to turn the island into an attractive spot like other places in the world. "Pulau Gaya is important to us and there are many plans that we want to implement. We've asked experts to develop the island like Hong Kong, Kowloon and so on," he said, in reply to a supplementary question from Bongawan Assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Alamin at the State Assembly.ADVERTISEMENT Musa, who was delivering his winding up speech, was asked by Mohamad about newspaper reports quoting Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai about complaints by disappointed island residents regarding the failure by a certain Federal Ministry to deliver both utilities to them as expected, although RM135 million had already been spent. Yeo had said that residents expressed their disappointment and frustration, particularly with regard to a main water reservoir that had been installed but had no water supply. Expressing sadness that this had to happen, Musa said the State Government would conduct a check on the issue before making any decision.Meanwhile, he was pleased to announce that the Rural and Regional Development Ministry has approved RM226.62 million to the Sabah Land and Development Board (SLDB) for the period of 2016 to 2020.ADVERTISEMENT "As soon as the new minister took the helm of the ministry, he came to meet me to discuss matters and issues relating to the implementation of the ministry's projects in Sabah. The outcome of the meeting was positive," he said, referring to the huge allocation given to the State.He said the allocation is meant to implement palm oil replanting initiatives in settlers' areas in Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Tawau and Merotai as well as to develop the Bombong communal grants in Bombong in Kota Marudu, Kabintaluan in Tenom and Sumatalun in Nabawan.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I was made to understand that SLDB has never received any allocation from the Ministry that can bring benefit to the people particularly those in the rural areas," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
Aside from that, he said, the minister had informed about the establishment of a joint committee between his ministry and the State Government to monitor and resolve issues with regard to any projects that are to be implemented in Sabah."It's timely so that both the ministry and the State Government will be in the know about projects that are being implemented and those that will be implemented in the State," Musa added.