SABAH’s Public Works Ministry has found itself in yet another predicament after a viral video exposed the deplorable condition of a road in Kota Marudu which is under construction at a cost of RM264.7 million.
This 40km road, already notorious for its treacherous nature, came into the spotlight when a teacher shared a video of students navigating its muddy trail last week.
Commencing on December 30 last year, the construction of the stretch, which links the two major thoroughfares of Jalan Samparita and Jalan Sonsogon, is scheduled for completion on December 29, 2025.
Minister-in-charge Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who holds the post of Sabah deputy chief minister and works minister, acknowledged that the physical progress of the construction has fallen behind schedule.
“It has fallen behind by 1.06%. At this stage, the progress of work has reached 10% when it should be at 11%,” Shahelmey told The Vibes.
He attributed the delay to adverse weather conditions and the soft soil, which has disrupted construction work.
Contractors have reported machine damages and repairs due to continuous rain, which causes the soil structure to become soft and impedes work.
Shahelmey, however, said that the Public Works Department aims to achieve 70% progress this year.
Land acquisition, plant and structure assessments, as well as relocation of utility infrastructures belonging to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd, the Sabah Water Department and Telekom Malaysia, have also contributed to the delay.
The viral video posted on January 17 by a teacher using the Facebook ID Moniq Cfrndz raised questions.
The footage depicted three pupils from SK Magandai walking on the muddy track with umbrellas and bags.
This is not the first time the Jalan Samparita-Jalan Sonsogon road has garnered attention.
Previously, photos of parents from Kg Magandai village walking 70km to send their children to SK Magandai’s hostel also went viral with netizens highlighting it as an example of the dire conditions of roads in the state.
Concerns have arisen over the actual progress of the over RM260 million project.
The government faces a balancing act while it takes into account factors like population density, economic viability, and limited resources.
The National Development Planning Committee for Rural Road Programme dictates that road construction focuses on supporting local economies in agriculture, tourism, industries, and plantations.
Economic viability versus helping communities
A check on the data available revealed there are 111 pupils and 13 teachers in SK Magandai, with over 300 residents in the four villages the road will connect, mainly small farmers cultivating for self-consumption.
This shows that the struggle in meeting urgent local needs and promoting broader socioeconomic development is evident in the challenges faced by Sabah.
Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia international and local officer Jenifer Lasimbang dismissed economic or social viability as an unsuitable argument to be raised when it comes to rural roads.
“Even if there’s no economic viability at this point of time, such criteria will come eventually as roads would be able to spur these activities,” she said.
The indigenous activist said development of Sabah is crucial. She pointed out that Kota Marudu is already listed as one of the poorest districts in Sabah, where many communities are already marginalised.
“The indigenous people in Sabah always require additional support from the government,” said Lasimbang.
“One of the recommendations I would give is that they provide aid in terms of transportation, in providing equitable development for all.”
She added that Sabah’s lack of infrastructure could have been addressed if Sabah obtained its 40% revenue entitlement from the federal government. – The Vibes, February 1, 2024
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