Jurisdictional confusion leaving essential services in Sandakan unresolved, says Thien

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 15): Conflicting responsibilities between local councils and government departments have left critical public services in Sandakan in limbo, said Tanjong Papat assemblyman Alex Thien Ching Qiang.

Thien said local councils often claim that certain services fall under the state government’s jurisdiction, while government departments insist the matters are the responsibility of local authorities.

As a result, essential services such as water supply, street lighting and drainage remain unresolved, forcing residents to endure frequent disruptions.

“Residents continue to suffer because local councils and government departments keep passing the responsibility to each other.

“Water, streetlights, and drainage problems remain unresolved because nobody takes ownership.

“Every day that goes by without action, it is the residents who bear the cost,” he said when debating the Sabah Budget 2026 at the state assembly here Monday.

He highlighted specific examples from his constituency, noting that many areas in Sandakan experience recurring water shortages, with some flats in Kampung Sim Sim going without water for months.

Streetlights along major roads, he added, frequently fail, leaving streets in darkness and raising safety concerns for pedestrians and motorists.

He also cited drainage problems, which worsen during heavy rain and contribute to flooding in residential and commercial areas.

“Sabah is a state rich in natural resources, yet our people continue to struggle with problems that should have been solved long ago.

“It is time for the government to take real responsibility and ensure basic services for every resident,” he said.

The assemblyman also raised questions about allocations in the budget, highlighting that Sandakan receives significantly less funding for infrastructure and maintenance compared to Kota Kinabalu and Tawau.

He urged the government to address the bureaucratic inefficiencies and allocate sufficient resources to ensure reliable services for all Sabah residents.

“If we continue to ignore these problems, we are failing the people of Sabah. It is time for action, not excuses,” he added.