PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said there should be no more excuses for delays in the development of projects for the people of Sabah, especially pertaining to water and electricity supplies, as well as the Pan Borneo Highway.
He said this needed to be emphasised as there were delayed development projects in the state, including the Ulu Padas Hydroelectric Dam, which could provide ample electricity and water supply for the people if expedited.
“Delayed projects have two consequences – the cost will be increased and the hope of the people who longed for those facilities, especially electricity and water supply, will be crushed.
“For this dam project, for example, make sure the implementation and monitoring are being carried out. There should be no more excuses for delays.
“This (project) is urgent and critical, so let’s get it done faster and give comfort to the people,” he said when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the dam project today.
Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, and Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Annuar Ayub.
The Ulu Padas Hydroelectric Dam, expected to be completed in 2029 at a cost of RM4 billion, has a power supply capacity of 187.5MW. Having a reservoir area of 1,905 sq km, the dam is being developed by UPP Holdings Sdn Bhd, established through a strategic collaboration between SEC, a government subsidiary, Gamuda Bhd, and Kerjaya Kagum Hitech JV Sdn Bhd.
Anwar said apart from the dam, the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway project was also facing delays due to contractor issues and political interference.
“These issues need to be swiftly resolved to provide the best transportation facilities for the people.
“Let’s be more transparent. The Pan Borneo Highway project has been ongoing for decades, it is nearly completed in Sarawak. RM15 billion for this project is not cheap. I want the Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, to monitor and delegate power to expedite (the project),” he said.
Besides benefitting the people, Anwar said these essential facilities are crucial to attract investors.
The prime minister has hit out at claims by opposition leaders that the federal government is not giving due attention to Sabah by comparing what the federal government provides the state with what it is developing in Penang.
“They claim that Penang has a RM10 billion LRT project. That project is funded by the private sector, not the federal government… don’t play with such sentiments that divide our people,” he said.
Anwar said his unity government is working hard to bring development to Sabah.
He said in the 2024 Budget, RM6.8 billion in development expenditure was allocated for Sabah, while it was only RM1.4 billion for Penang. The allocation for Sabah is the highest in the country’s history, demonstrating the federal government’s concern for Sabah.
“What’s the total allocation (including for operation expenditure) for Sabah? More than RM16 billion! The highest among the states, but the opposition is still criticising me; asking why we give more to Sabah and I have answered this in parliament. I said it is because Sabah is seriously lagging in water and electricity supply,” he said.
As the prime minister, Anwar said it is his responsibility to ensure the development of all states, but the development of projects in Sabah needed to be given more attention as the state lagged behind other states in the peninsula. – Bernama, December 7, 2023.
