Kota Kinabalu: The State Government should set up a special committee to plan the holistic economic recovery on the poorest eight districts, said Darau assemblyman Azhar Datuk Matussin.
The eight districts are Pitas, Kudat, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Beluran, Telupid, Tongod and Nabawan, which has not changed its status until now.
He said presentation of the 2023 State Budget of RM5.268 billion by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor last Friday shown an increase of RM672 million when compared to the 2022 State Budget of RM4.596 billion.
“With the poverty rate in Sabah which is still high, I hope that the increase shown in the 2023 State Budget to some extent could reduce the poverty rate which is not only in the eight districts but also in all other districts in the State.
“The people are hoping that the large budget would have a significant effect and impact, especially in raising the economic standard of the population or at least get the people in the eight districts to be out of the cocoon of poverty, that were declared poor last year,” he said in his speech when debating the 2023 State Budget at the State Legislative Assembly.
He said China, in just a few decades, was able to remove more than 60pc of its citizens or 900 million people out from the shackles of poverty
Malaysia, on the other hand, saw the B40 low-income group earners dropped to B50, based on a statement by former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in March 2021.
He said the worrying situation was not just a trend but a fact that needs to be taken into account and proactive action by the government.
“I would like to refer to the 2023 Budget presentation No. 20 Third Article which mentioned – ‘Although the interim payment of the Federal Government’s Special Payment is increased to RM129.7 million in 2023, the State Government will continue to negotiate with the Federal Government to carry out a review of the Special Grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
“In light of this, I suggest that the State Government apply for a more realistic allocations in line with the development and economy of Malaysia,” he said.
To assist B40 and poor students studying in local universities, here, Azhar suggested the existing State Education Fund that was launched this year, to assist the students who could not afford to pay their monthly rental.
“I was made to understand that universities and colleges only provide accommodation facilities for the first semester of their studies, while for the second semester onwards, the students have to rent off campus.
“This problem occurs when the student comes from a family of extreme poverty and B40 when there are students who cannot continue their studies due to not being able to pay the room or house rent even if they rent in groups,” he said.
Hence, Azhar recommended that the issue of students’ welfare to rent rooms or houses to be included as among assistance under the Sabah Education Fund.
On Kg Rampayan in his constituency which is prone to flash flood, he requested for some fund from the RM1.16 billion allocated to the State Ministry of Works to be used for dredging mud and sand deposits in Sungai Rampayan as a short-term measure while waiting for the mitigation project on the river to be completed.
“As many people already know, Kg. Rampayan is flooded too often.In 2022 alone, according to my calculations, this village has been hit by floods 24 times, while according to the villagers’ count there have been 28 floods.
“In this month November, there have been four floods in the village and these repeated floods are very burdensome for the villagers who have to bear losses of their property such as electrical equipment, furniture and vehicles.
“Not only that, the school in the affected area had to be closed for cleaning and this affected the learning of our children there,” he said.
A few days ago, Azhar said he was with Sepanggar Member of Parliament Mustapha Sakmud and they had a jointly visit the area, including Sungai Rampayan.
“We found that one of the main factors of frequent flash floods in Kg Rampayan was due to the water flow from the headwaters of the Sungai Rampayan caused by presence of mud and sand deposits along the river.
“The depth of the river which previously had a depth of nine feet is now only around three to four feet.
“Hopefully, with the short-term measure of dredging the sand and mud, we can minimise the flooding effects while waiting for the mitigation project at the river to be fully completed,” he said.
Another village prone to floods, Kg Gandangon Kembirian Manggatal, Azhar said was caused by the drainage problem that connects directly to the Manggatal river which is badly blocked.
“Maintenance should be done as soon as possible because this issue has been going on for so long.
“This problem is also a nightmare for local residents because the impact of the flood may submerge Christian cemeteries in the area involved and cause sedimentation in the cemeteries area that would make it difficult for burials to be conducted.
“Following this, I request that an allocation to be channelled to build and improve the existing drainage system in the area involved,” he said.
