Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Information Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai has raised concerns over the establishment of the Jawatankuasa Kemajuan Desa Madani (JKDM) in Sabah, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Rural and Regional Development led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi.
Joniston, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah Information Chief, criticised the move, saying it disregards the role of the existing Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) under the auspices of the Sabah Government.
“What is the rationale for the establishment of the JKDM?
“Is there a need for it when we already have JKKKs in every kampung (village)?” he asked.
He argued that such a move goes against the spirit of the Madani concept espoused by the Federal Government, which emphasises understanding, cooperation and unity among the people.
Joniston called on Zahid, who is also Umno President, to explain the decision to the people of Sabah who perceive it as a “divide and rule” strategy aimed at strengthening Umno’s presence in the State.
“To the best of my knowledge, there is no JKDM in Sarawak, where there is no Umno presence,” he said.
Although no official announcement has been made, a letter allegedly signed by Zahid regarding the establishment of JKDMs in several state constituencies has gone viral on social media, fuelling concerns.
Meanwhile, PBS Youth Chief Christoper Mandut said there have been some movement by a peninsula-based party that showed disrespect towards the Sabah Government.
Describing them as “Malayan thugs”, Mandut said the party that ruled the nation for about six decades had long robbed Sabah of its resources and destroyed the demographic setting.
“During the party president’s recent visit to Kinabatangan, he had shown some attempts to colonise Sabah by giving out ‘sweets’ to the people.
“It was obvious that their ‘divide and rule’ political strategy is being used again, just as when they sought to overthrow PBS and bring the party to Sabah,” he said.
Mandut also questioned the relevance of creating the Madani Village Development Committee which seems to duplicate the Village Development Committees (JPKK).
