Latest news with #RM5.3bil
The Star
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah Umno leader tells GRS rep to 'look in the mirror' over governance criticism
KOTA KINABALU: The debate over Sabah's governance record is heating up as the state election draws closer, with a Sabah Umno leader pushing back against a GRS assemblyman for being part of the same political system blamed for the state's long-standing infrastructure problems. Sabah Umno information chief, who is also Libaran MP, Datuk Suhaimi Nasir (pic) , said Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, who currently serves as the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, should "look in the mirror" before criticising others over the state's infrastructure challenges. "Between 1999 and 2023, when Sabah's timber revenue reached RM5.3bil, who were the ministers and assistant ministers responsible for managing these resources?" Suhaimi said in a statement on Thursday (May 15). "Who failed to manage the state's natural wealth properly? Despite years of massive revenue collections, who neglected basic infrastructure like water, electricity, and roads. These are not problems that appeared overnight, but the result of decades of poor governance," he added. Suhaimi was responding to Nizam's recent remarks, in which the latter defended the current GRS government, arguing that Sabah's infrastructure problems were inherited from previous administrations. "Don't blame the party, because parties have no life. It's the living ministers who must take responsibility – including you, Nizam," Suhaimi said. He further argued that Nizam and other GRS leaders, including Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, should take responsibility for these past failures, as they were part of the same administrations that oversaw these critical sectors. "Without Umno, you might still be waiting in line for a seat of power, never knowing the trust of the people," Suhaimi said. Suhaimi also dismissed attempts to deflect blame, arguing that the current Umno leadership in Sabah, made up of 90% new faces, is focused on correcting the mistakes of the past. "Don't try to cover up your own failures by throwing mud at others. Sabah needs leaders who know how to work, not just those who know how to put on a show," he added. "People don't need the voices of frogs from old political ponds. They need voices of sincere and honest development," he said.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Eye on Sabah's progress amid poor utility service
KOTA KINABALU: Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir has raised concerns about the true progress in Sabah, highlighting that residents continue to experience disruptions in electricity and water supply, as well as inadequate road networks. In raising this concern, he pointed out that Sabah has generated timber revenue amounting to RM5.3bil since 1999, averaging RM213mil annually. However, many residents of Sabah still lack reliable access to essential services. 'From Libaran to Likas, from Tawau to Tuaran, the people are asking a simple question: where has all of Sabah's wealth gone?' he said in a statement yesterday. He observed that these issues are no longer confined to rural communities; even in the heart of the state capital, Kota Kinabalu, power and water disruptions have become a common occurrence. 'Water tanks are no longer optional; they are a necessity. Electricity generators, once reserved for factories, are now being used in regular homes. This is the daily reality faced by ordinary Sabahans,' he added. Suhaimi highlighted the deteriorating condition of the road infrastructure, noting that many roads are riddled with potholes and pose safety hazards. He noted that numerous rural areas in Libaran are still waiting for basic development. He emphasised that the state government should prioritise this responsibility. 'While we continue to hear announcements about forest certifications, carbon plans and ecological allocations, people are still lighting candles, storing water and dodging potholes,' he said. Suhaimi questioned whether the progress being celebrated is genuine, alleging that the people of Sabah have been patient for far too long. 'They are not against development. They are simply asking for their rights... the right to live comfortably with consistent and reliable basic amenities. These concerns should not be dismissed as scepticism or political rhetoric. 'If the state has earned billions, why are we still dealing with unresolved water, electricity and road issues? 'This question is not about pointing fingers; it is about demanding responsibility,' he stressed, adding that the people of Sabah deserve better.
The Star
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah MP questions lack of basic amenities despite billions in timber revenue
KOTA KINABALU: There is a glaring disconnect between Sabah's reported billions in timber revenue and the state's ongoing failure to provide basic amenities such as clean water, consistent electricity, and proper road networks, says Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir ( pic ). Suhaimi raised concerns over Sabah recording timber revenue of RM5.3bil since 1999, averaging RM213mil annually, while many Sabahans continue to lack reliable access to essential services. "From Libaran to Likas, from Tawau to Tuaran, the people are asking a simple question, where has all of Sabah's wealth gone?" he asked in a statement on Tuesday (May 13). He noted that it is no longer just rural communities facing these issues; even in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital, power and water disruptions have become commonplace. "Water tanks are no longer optional; they are a necessity. Electricity generators, once reserved for factories, are now being used in regular homes. This is the daily reality faced by ordinary Sabahans," he added. Suhaimi also pointed out the poor state of road infrastructure, adding that many roads remain potholed and unsafe, with numerous rural areas in Libaran still waiting for basic development. He stressed that this is a responsibility that should be prioritised by the state government. "While we continue to hear announcements about forest certification, carbon plans, and ecological allocations, people are still lighting candles, storing water, and dodging potholes," he said. Suhaimi questioned whether this is truly the progress being celebrated, alleging that the people of Sabah have long been patient. "They are not against development. They are simply asking for their rights … the right to live comfortably with consistent and reliable basic amenities. "These concerns should not be dismissed as scepticism or political rhetoric. "If the state has earned billions, why are we still dealing with unresolved water, electricity, and road issues? "This question is not about pointing fingers; it is about demanding responsibility," he stressed, adding that the people of Sabah deserve better.
