PENAMPANG: Datuk Ewon Benedick wants to set up a special committee to deal with major issues, including floods here, should he win the seat.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate said he would chair the committee, which would involve related parties.
"Among them are the Public Works Department, the Drainage and Irrigation Department, the District Council, consultants, contractors implementing a project, villagers representatives, non-governmental organisations and resident organisations.
"I believe many problems can be solved at the district level if we meet consistently to discuss the problems thoroughly.
"For issues beyond the committee's control, then it is my responsibility as an MP to raise them at the cabinet," he said during the Jelajah Harapan programme in Kampung Nosoob, here, last night.
Ewon said the special committee would guide the implementation of flood mitigation projects, water drainage and ditches, highways, and other high-impact projects.
"It will also ensure that the plans and implementation of high-impact projects take into account the needs of the affected people, and ensure companies implementing a large-scale project, such as the Pan Borneo Highway, are responsible for repairing ditches or water reservoirs resulting from road construction works
"The committee will also ensure that post-flood services and assistance or compensation due to land acquisition for public projects are carried out transparently and fairly, and ensure the frequency of ditch or drain maintenance and submit recommendations to deepen or rebuild old ditches that have been built decades ago," he added.
The Kadamaian assemblyman believes that such an approach can help solve issues in Penampang as a similar approach in Kadamaian was effective.
During the "Jelajah Harapan" programme, Ewon said he had received many suggestions, views, and complaints from people, including flood aid matters.
"Residents informed me that aid distribution to flood victims last year was unfair because many dropped out, and some were not affected but were given aid.
"I really sympathise with their situation. Therefore, one of my aspirations for the people of Penampang in the 15th General Election (GE15) is to ensure that post-flood services and assistance can be implemented transparently and fairly.
Jeofrin Likius, a resident of Kampung Sugud said his village was hit by floods twice this year, and the worst was in September last year.
"In terms of aid for the flood victims here, the MP (Datuk Darell Leiking) had visited and given aid but only once last year, after that he never came," Jeofrin said adding that most of the aid received by the flood victims in Kg Sugud was from NGOs.
He said that in GE15, he wants a representative who is more sensitive and concerned with the villagers' plight.
"We want a leader who is not only outspoken in Parliament but also diligent in going to the field to meet people and listen to our problems," he said.
He said three concrete bridges in Kg Sugud that were badly damaged due to the flood last year had not been repaired.
"The villagers had to walk because the bridge could not be passed by vehicles. This situation is very troublesome, especially when there is an emergency. One of the three concrete bridges is the main route for the villagers," he said.