BN Sabah leaders ‘losing heart’

BN leaders taking the easy way out by saying they too have to wait for funds from the Federal Government.

KOTA KINABALU: Opposition leaders in Sabah are dismayed by their observation that the ruling Barisan Nasional, in power since 1994, has resigned itself to the futility of getting sufficient funds and in time from Putrajaya for development purposes.

“If the BN Sabah representatives would also have to wait for funds from the Federal Government, up to the extent of five years and more, for development purposes, what makes them different from opposition representatives?” asked Moyog Assemblyman Terence Siambun in a statement. “Even some of the BN leaders who were once very vocal in respect of the special rights and privileges of Sabah have gone quiet.”

The BN Sabah Government had long lost its enthusiasm and vigour in making Sabah a developed and prosperous nation, claimed Terence, and “there is no surprise when once again it is being declared as the poorest in Malaysia”.

Terence, who is also Vice Chief PKR Sabah, was echoing Penampang MP Darell Leiking’s statement on Friday asking the Federal Government to get its act together in Sabah.

At the same time, he wants Federal Rural Development Minister Shafie Apdal, a Suluk; to produce evidence that Sabah will degenerate into civil war and/or risk being invaded by a neighbouring country should it secede from the Federation.

Terence complained that besides the slow development in Sabah which had forced many youths to flee to the peninsula as factory workers, Putrajaya seemed oblivious to the continuing influx of illegal immigrants, the proliferation of foreigners going even into the retail consumer sector and edging locals out, and discrimination in giving out aid to villagers.

He invited Shafie to come to Moyog and see the state of under-development for himself, instead of scenario-building on threats, and also learn how the people are suffering in the face of the Sabah Government’s apparent impotence.

He urged BN Sabah leaders not to take the easy way out by saying that despite being part of the Sabah Government, they also have to wait for funds from the Federal Government.

He pointed out that BN Sabah Assemblymen should be able to do more for the people since being part of the Sabah and Federal Governments they receive RM1.5 million a year from the contingency fund and a further RM500,000 per annum for the provision of emergency relief.

“The ball is at the feet of BN Sabah leaders to ensure that we regain our dignity in the Federation,” said Terence in identifying education, healthcare, oil royalty and Borneonisation as other issues crying out for attention besides development.