KOTA KINABALU – Sabah agencies should be given a bigger role in projects given that they know the state better than federal agencies that hold the same functions, said Datuk Salleh Said Keruak (Umno-Usukan) today.
During the state assembly, he said local agencies should be given more authority wherever possible in view of the overlapping roles of some federal agencies.
“We are not (using) a unitary system. For me, it is important for us to delegate development from the federal government to state government,” Salleh said.
“We must delegate whatever areas possible to the state government, because we are closer to the rakyat and we have the machinery to help the central government.”
Salleh said this in response to a question from Assafal Alian (Warisan-Tungku) on project autonomy.
“It is important that the state government be given the authority to spend the allocation and implement the projects, to ensure that the allocation reaches the community and its purpose,” he said.
“The rakyat have been learning about allocations for them worth thousands of millions of ringgit, but it has never reached them. I hope that the state government will be given authority on matters such as this.”
Salleh said Sarawak had for example already created the Sarawak Multimedia Authority, which will be handling the federal government’s allocation to Internet facility development in the state.
“Sabah also needs to ensure that it has authority, so that its allocation will not be kept only by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, but will be handed to Sabah.
“When we talk about internet facilities, it involves the state government, which has the authority over the land, and the local authorities. A one-stop agency at the state level is not enough in Sabah.
“We know the situation here better. Sabah is not the same as the peninsula. We have different geographies.
“The big sum of allocation under Budget 2021 to enhance internet connectivity will not mean anything if it is not implemented,” he said.
Salleh said this when elaborating on the need to fix the problem of digital poverty in Sabah, the solution to which he said involves enhancing information and communication technology skills and infrastructure in the state.
He said the state government must urge Putrajaya to pay attention in this matter, as it affects Sabah’s economy. – The Vibes, November 16, 2020
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