Infrastructure allocation crucial for Sabah – Shahelmey

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 16): The continuation of infrastructure development funding to Sabah in Budget 2025 is crucial to ensure that basic infrastructures such as rural roads, electricity, and water supply can be provided for the people’s benefit, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.

He said the state government believes in the federal government’s commitment to listening to the plights and understanding the priorities of the second-largest state in Malaysia so that it can continue to progress with the same amenities provided to other states.

Speaking to Bernama recently, Shahelmey expressed hope that the allocations for Sabah under Budget 2025 would see an increase, in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement that the interim special grant for Sabah and Sarawak would be raised to RM600 million starting next year.

“The Sabah government has consistently emphasised that we need additional allocations, especially for electricity, water supply, and roads.

“Besides constructing new roads, federal roads, rural roads, state roads, we also need additional allocations for the maintenance of old roads, slope repairs, street light installation as well as drainage and sewerage.

The replacement of outdated water supply system is also urgently needed in Sabah,” he said.

The State Minister of Works and Putatan MP also stressed that electricity, water supply, and roads must be given specific attention to facilitate the people’s needs and bridge the infrastructure gap between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.

He also said decades-old and dilapidated school and health clinic buildings in the state must be upgraded.

He also hoped the federal government could provide modern equipment for federal offices, including the Immigration Department.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, also expressed hope that the federal government would increase allocations for developing rural roads in the state, especially those not part of the Pan Borneo Highway network.

The Papar MP said efforts to address water supply issues in his constituency have already begun with the construction of the Kogopon Water Treatment Plant.

“Besides that, the construction of two main roads, namely Sabindo-Sungai Kinarut and Melinsung-Papar included in last year’s budget, is now in the final stages of design finalisation before contractor appointment,” he said, adding that he hoped the project can be expedited.-Bernama