KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government needs to implement a comprehensive plan to address the state’s basic infrastructure development once and for all, says opposition Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
He said problems related to water, electricity, proper roads, education, and healthcare, among others, require urgent attention.
He pointed out that the recent protest by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students over the lack of water on campus should have been resolved years ago.
“The state cannot blame any party. Whether it’s a case of a pipe burst, theft, or any other reason, it should have been solved immediately.
“We cannot blame the students for their actions. We must resolve the problem,” he said after meeting the people in Lahad Datu on Saturday (June 22).
Shafie said water problems are serious, and the state government should explain why they occurred instead of blaming others or calling the protesting students uncivilised.
“They don’t have water, not just for drinking or bathing. This is not a one-day issue; it has been happening for a long time.
“We can blame theft, but for factories around the university, there is water supply. Why do the factories have water, but the people do not?” he said, urging the state to undertake a comprehensive and holistic approach to resolve the problems.
Shafie also said there is a need to improve school facilities, as many are in a deteriorated condition, lacking chairs, tables, and decent toilet facilities.
The Sabah government should also look at investments that bring about technological transfers and create local employment through training skills.
He said the Intel computer chip manufacturing company in Penang is a good example of helping locals get gainfully employed.
“We don’t want investors to bring in 1,000 of their own workers while employing only 300 locals in low-tiered jobs,” he said.