TUARAN – Whoever wins the race to represent the Tuaran constituency in Parliament ought to be prepared for a tough and unenviable time in trying to meet the needs of its people.
The locals here expect their pressing bread-and-butter issues to be resolved, making this the topmost agenda for whoever wins the seat in the 15th general election on November 19.
From poor road conditions to a lack of infrastructure and unemployment, Tuaran, also home to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, still needs plenty of work.
The suburban district located north of Kota Kinabalu, being larger in size than the state of Penang, remains underdeveloped compared with Penang itself.
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate Datuk Joniston Bangkuai is fully aware of the problems faced by Tuaran folk.
“That place where they sell their vegetables and produce, they had requested for its fans to be fixed. I found out it has not been done for many years,” said Bangkuai, giving an example of just one bread-and-butter issue out of hundreds.
Bangkuai was met during his walkabout in Tamparuli where he was visiting the local tamu market today.
“I understand their needs. Today’s walkabout gave me the opportunity to know them (locals) even better and understand their problems, and hopefully, if I am elected, I’ll come back and see them.
“Of course, I assured them I will fight for them, and work hard to fulfil whatever they need. It’s all bread-and-butter issues.
“I give my commitment to them so I hope they will give me a chance to be their MP here,” he said.
Other than issues of basic needs, Bangkuai is also taking a tough stance on ending corruption.
Increasing funds for the native lands programme
His main contender, outgoing Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, has also noted that the rising cost of living, bad road conditions, and water supply disruptions have become bones of contention for many Tuaran residents.
Tangau is the incumbent Tuaran MP.
“The roads are so terrible that I have to change my tyres every month,” said Tangau, adding that land issues are also one of the problems close to the hearts of Tuaran folk.
He proposed that the annual allocation for the government’s Sabah State Native Customary Land Service Programme (Pantas) be raised from the RM20 million it gets in annual funding.
Pantas carries out land surveying and processing of lands to be given to the state’s indigenous communities.
Tangau said Pantas’ creation can be credited to Upko’s honorary president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.
Meanwhile, 70-year-old independent candidate Datuk Noortaip Suhaili has many plans to help alleviate the people’s socio-economic status and create job opportunities.
The businessman has proposed to upgrade local marketplaces and set up various communication offices to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“I am proposing several communications units in Tamparuli, Pekan Nabalu, Telipok, Tenghilan, and Tuaran town itself.
“These units can serve as meeting points for local businesses and investors to look into business opportunities and collection centres for local produce to be exported,” said Noortaip.
Noortaip said he decided to offer himself as an MP candidate for Tuaran folk because he knows many locals are fed up with the political mudslinging between Sabah’s parties.
He said he plans to promote prosperity and harmony within the Tuaran federal constituency.
Accommodation for visitors lacking
Another candidate, Warisan’s Jo-anna Sue Henley Rampas, said the district’s potential lies in agrotourism and ecotourism.
However, she said the district lacks accommodations, while bad road connectivity hampers the agricultural industries.
“Tuaran is rich with biodiversity and is just next to Sabah’s gateway (Kota Kinabalu). These features must be exploited to improve the local industries and local tourism businesses.
“But sadly, the district lacks accommodation facilities for local visitors and from abroad,” she said.
Rampas also said water and electricity disruptions further worsen the district’s potential, adding that the government must allocate funds to solve this long-standing problem.
“Internet coverage should also be improved. More telecommunications towers must be built in Tuaran to ensure better internet services in the area,” said Rampas.
She also stressed that new schools are badly needed to reduce the occurrence of packed classrooms, as well as more skills centres to resolve unemployment in the district.
Tuaran is seeing a six-cornered fight between the parties and two independent candidates.
Tangau is contesting under the Pakatan Harapan ticket, Bangkuai under the GRS ticket, Rampas under the Warisan ticket, Muminin Norbinsha under the Pejuang ticket, while Noortaip and Boby Lewat are vying as independent candidates. – The Vibes, November 12, 2022
