KUALA LUMPUR – The federal government was the target of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin’s (Kinabatangan-BN) ire over its indifference towards Sabah’s and Sarawak’s development.
Delivering a fiery speech in the Dewan Rakyat while debating constitutional amendments to incorporate elements of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Bung Moktar reminded Putrajaya that residents in the Borneo states are hungry for commitment from the federal government on development.
“As an equal partner, there must be equal development with the peninsula,” Bung Moktar said.
The BN lawmaker said that the youth in Sabah and Sarawak are very much aware of the disproportionate development, given that many have travelled to the peninsula.
Bung Moktar said people from Sabah and Sarawak are amazed at the modern highways that connect states on the peninsula which are safe and allow fast travel.
However, the same could not be said in Sabah, according to Bung Moktar.
“MA63 has no meaning if the federal government has no new approaches to develop Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bung Moktar also slammed the government over current development policies which he contends are not suitable for both Sabah and Sarawak.
“This open tender method takes six months to a year before implementation.
“For example, if a new hospital costs RM80 million, the federal government should just implement the ceiling price, find a contractor, and pay them off once the project is complete.
“Same goes with schools. That’s how we move forward,” Bung Moktar added. – The Vibes, December 14, 2021
