Published on: Thursday, November 19, 2009 |
SULABAYAN Assemblyman Datuk Harman Mohamad suggested that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman be given recognition as Sabah's Father of Development for his immense contribution to the State's development, prosperity and stability.
Through Musa's efforts, he said people and development have reached a very commendable level.
The Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) mooted under Musa's tenure, he said, is a holistic development programme seen as the mover of the State's economy and at the same time adding a new dimension to the people's lives.
"So, in appreciation of his effort and in recognition of his struggles, it would not be too much to suggest if we accord him the term as Sabah's Father of Development," he said.
Throughout the previous nine years, development in Sabah has been consistent irrespective of the situation, he said.
Having said that, he said the State Government ought to review or consider increasing the elected representatives' special allowance or to provide additional allocation especially to those representing rural areas.
He said this is to enable the wakil rakyat to be more effective in serving the people in their respective constituencies.
Welcoming the additional allocation of RM100,000 to each state constituency, Harman said the additional funds would certainly reduce the elected representatives' burden.
He said assemblymen serving in rural areas like him face more challenges in their work.
Rural areas are basically made up of forests, hills, seas or islands and because of the geographical and topographical conditions, the work of elected representatives in these areas becomes more critical, he said.
"Elected representatives in rural areas risk their lives each time they visit the areas in their respective constituencies," he said.
There are situations when they have to travel across the seas to reach remote islands, he said.
Because of this scenario, he said the State Government should consider reviewing the elected representatives' special allowance.
He said the Federal Government through the Education Ministry has already pioneered this principle by prioritising rural areas, adding teachers are given an additional special allowance based on the distance of the area they are serving in.
"The further the island where they are teaching, the higher the allowance they will receive," he said.
Harman said even the Health Ministry is also in the process of reconsidering such incentive for doctors and medical officers serving in rural areas.
On another issue, he urged the Government to reconsider the quota system applied on visitors to Pulau Sipadan.
He said while the system was introduced for security reasons, the relevant parties should think of a method or system to increase the quota especially during certain seasons without disregarding security and safety aspects.
