KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah’s development will only be possible if certain quarters do not betray the trust and responsibility given to them, said Tenom MP Datuk Raime Unggi.
Certain projects were documented on paper, but the outcomes could not be seen due to deception Raime said this during the Dewan Rakyat debate in support of the 2018 Budget on Wednesday.
This followed the revelation of allegations of misappropriation of Federal funds meant for rural development in Sabah.
In the past, another massive graft case in the state involving the Sabah Water Department was revealed, where RM3.3 billion worth of Federal-funded projects aimed to boost clean water supply, was also allegedly embezzled.
The case, which came to light in October last year, saw many top officials, engineers and technicians from the department remanded.
“The allocation is there as well as the contractors. The projects are given and supposedly the contractors have received the payment but there is nothing happening on site.
“Everything is only on paper, there are projects but the people are still lacking in roads, water, electricity and houses,” he said.
What disappoints Sabah natives more, he added, was the fact that a signboard saying ‘Rural Water Supply’ provided by the ministry has been standing erect at the project site for the last few years, but their water woes continue to be a major issue.
Reported in the Barisan Nasional’s BBC portal yesterday, Raime said the promises given were false in the end.
“I myself do not know whether the former minister knows if the houses, roads, water or electricity promised have already been delivered or not.
“I give my full support to the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad who is bold and forceful in investigating and prosecuting these people who have betrayed their responsibility, abusing the poor.”
Raime proceeded to praise the efforts of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who have been steadfast in calling for continuous development for Sabah.
The 2018 Budget is a blessing for the people of Sabah, he added, proving that Najib is adamant in developing the state even though past budget allocations have been misused.
“The Prime Minister is still gracious in ensuring the budget for infrastructure and basic amenities for the people of Sabah and Sarawak is maintained. RM2 billion is given for the Pan-Borneo Highway, RM500 million for rural projects, RM620 million for electricity supply, RM300 million for clean water supply, and many more.
“Past leakages in the ministry’s budget did not cause Najib to be less enthusiastic on his efforts, rather he is unwavering to develop the two states to be on par with Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.