Norazlinah urged the Government to focus on the need to add medical specialists and the slow channelling of allocations for medical equipment in Sabah to be voiced out.
KUNAK: Kunak Assemblywoman Norazlinah Arif said the explanation for the recent electricity rationing in Sabah demonstrates the Federal Government’s failure to provide sufficient power supply in the State.
“I must agree with the people that the justification for turning on the air-conditioner is a joke. Heat being blamed for electricity restriction in Sabah is an equally ludicrous explanation,” she said when debating the Head of State’s Policy Speech during the State Legislative Assembly sitting, Wednesday.
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“Did Sarawak or other states in Malaysia encounter the same situation? Why is Sabah the only State where high temperatures and air-conditioning are problems?
“The disruption in Sabah’s energy supply was also traced back to substation damage, we were told.
“Why don’t we tackle the real issue at hand, which is that our power plant is unable to keep up with demand and keep the lights on throughout all of Sabah? The projected load’s destination is unclear.
“This is partly due to the fact that Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), or more simply the Federal Government, has failed to build any new power stations in Sabah.”
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She said the recent SESB briefing indicated that no new power plants had been built or added to Sabah since 2018.
“Since the State Government is taking a stand for Sabah’s rights by taking over SESB’s oversight beginning of January 1, 2024, we applaud this initiative,” she said.
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She urged the Government to focus on the need to add medical specialists and the slow channelling of allocations for medical equipment in Sabah to be voiced out.
“From the 358 contract nurses. a total of 81 Sabah contract nurses were promoted to permanent, but only four people were retained in Sabah. Imagine the workload of nurses in Sabah.
“I request an explanation from the Government regarding the view on the need to re-establish the Ministry of Health in Sabah so that the State has an agency dedicated to dealing with any matter related to health
“The most important thing is that the Ministry can be the monitor and the voice representing Sabah health officials and staff so that there is no longer any need to wait for the green light from the Federal Government because we know that only Sabahans know, and only Sabahans understand health matters in Sabah more clearly,” she said.
“I believe that all the strategic plans implemented are focused on the progress of Sabah and the wellbeing of its people. But are we ready to sacrifice the well-being of the people for the sake of pursuing development alone,” she said.
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