‘Politicians, civil servants should declare assets to prevent graft’: Darell
Published on: Friday, May 26, 2023
Darell also questioned the government via the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) which has been given subsidies totalling RM761 million annually by the Federal government for the fuel to generate power which does not include grants for infrastructure developments. - Bernama pic
Kota Kinabalu: Politicians and civil servants in Sabah should declare their assets to the State government so any corrupt elements can be addressed.
Moyog Assemblyman Datuk Darell Leiking, who made the call, said the Chief Minister and State Finance Minister need to issue an official directive to all those in civil service, including politicians, to do so.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said it is imperative for them to declare their assets so as to find out whether they are corrupted or they are being accused of receiving bribes.
“The Prime Minister announced that corruption level among politicians and civil servants is quite high and he wants to go after them.
“Sabah is in a state of mess,” he said.
“That is why I feel the politicians and civil servants should be scrutinised by ordering them to declare their assets,” Darell said when debating the policy speech of the Head of State Tun Dr Juhar Mahiruddin at the 16th State Legislative Assembly sitting, here, Wednesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
On Penampang, he said not much work was done on the flood mitigation project worth millions of ringgit in Moyog.
“I anticipate another round of monsoon. We may face flash floods and other severe problems that will pose big impact on the people in Penampang and also the whole Sabah, like losing properties and income, experiencing power outages and poor water supply, among others,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Darell also questioned the government via the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) which has been given subsidies totalling RM761 million annually by the Federal government for the fuel to generate power which does not include grants for infrastructure developments.
“Every year, SESB will be getting these subsidies (RM761 millions) and it is a must for the agency to submit reports including future assessments and how to mitigate blackouts to TNB or relevant ministries.
“The irony is why do we still face the problem (regular blackouts) which they have anticipated and mentioned in their reports of long-term plan?
“I am sure they are aware of the increasing number of housing developments and commercial units which indicate that more power supply is needed and this should be part and parcel in their reports,” he said.
Furthermore, Darell said SESB wrote a letter to propose a mitigation plan to address a critical situation of Sabah grid that was shared on May 3, this year.
“I wonder why are we in this situation (power outage and poor supply of water) when we mention about billions of ringgit in investments but the basic utilities that are needed, are not well-planned in the long run.
“In fact, I am asking the Minister of Industrial Development, how many existing investments and investors in Sabah who have decided to stop or withdraw their investments?
“If there were such withdrawal of the investments, then it would cause more unemployment among the locals when there are currently 177,000 jobless in Sabah based on the statistics of November last year,” he said.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
