PETALING JAYA: Millions spent on “Sabah Maju Jaya” signboards could have been better used to improve basic infrastructure in the state that remains lacking, says Warisan president Shafie Apdal.
He said the slogan “Sabah Maju Jaya” made a mockery of the inferior living conditions endured by the people of Sabah.
“The state government needs to listen to the problems voiced by the people and make a serious effort to help them. Simply sweeping the problem under the carpet is not the way. The people’s suffering is real. They need help,” said Shafie (pic), a former chief minister.
“Sabah Maju Jaya” (Let Sabah Prosper) is Sabah’s official motto, found on the state’s coat-of-arms. Last month, the state government adopted the motto for the title of the Sabah development plan for 2021-2025.
Shafie said the money spent on signboards could have been used to patch up the treacherous Telupid Road which he said was riddled with deep potholes, endangering lives, or to overcome water supply shortages even in urban areas like Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan.
“The money could have been also spent to prevent the frequent power cuts in the state, such as the recent case at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital,” he said.
He said there was no sign of progress in the state and that Sabah was instead regressing.
He said rising food prices laid an increasing burden on the rakyat who were already burdened by the economic downturn from the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said a 500g pack of cooking oil was now above RM5, and almost RM30 for a 3kg pack. However, the Sabah-produced brand Bess, was priced at RM29.70 for a 5kg pack, he said.
Shafie said Warisan had taken the initiative to manufacture cooking oil locally to ensure a more affordable alternative for consumers.
