BN makes RM16m promise in Batu Sapi

By Clara Chooi

November 01, 2010

Joseph Kitingan

 

BATU SAPI, Nov 1 — Much like in previous by-elections, Barisan Nasional announced today a whopping RM16 million road upgrade project as a gift to Sabahans, in what appears to be an attempt to woo voters ahead of the impending Batu Sapi polls.

In the Sibu and Hulu Selangor by-elections earlier this year, BN made similar promises to the local folk like the RM3 million Chinese school in Rasa, Hulu Selangor, and the RM5 million for flood mitigation in Rejang Park, Sibu.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan told a press conference this afternoon that the RM16 million promise had come from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself after he placed a phone call to the latter this morning.

The money, he explained, would be used to upgrade the 2.7km Jalan Sibuga, which experiences bad traffic jams.

“This is a very important road as it grants access to many public and private institutions.

“There are eight schools there, the Prisons Department, the race course, houses, the industrial training institute and others. Traffic is heavy there,” he said.

Pairin, who is also the state minister for infrastructure development, explained that he had received many complaints from residents in the area.

“I went there to take a look and I placed a call to the prime minister at 9.30 this morning.

“He listened to the problems and he agreed to grant RM16 million to upgrade the road. He also granted me permission to make the announcement here today so that the people of Sandakan would be aware of the project,” he said.

The project, he added, would commence sometime next year and would see Jalan Sibuga transformed into a dual carriageway on both sides.

Additionally, Pairin also announced that the state government had embarked on a RM2.3 million project to repair 12 roads in Sandakan,

Work began two days ago and is due for completion soon.

When asked if the RM16 million project could be considered as special gift from BN to Sabah folk, Pairin said that all projects meant to improve the livelihood of Sabahans were considered as gifts.

“I think whatever we complete or plan to do are gifts to the people because it is for the people. What is special here is that we managed to bring this issue directly to the attention of the Prime Minister and he was caring enough to agree,” he said.

Pairin however danced around the issue of the project being BN’s method to buy votes from the people, and only said that there was nothing wrong with doing something good for the people.

“I view these issues very seriously because, being a state minister for infrastructure, I would like to see the people’s problems solved... it makes me happy and it makes everyone happy and I think that this is the way to go.

“If I can do something good for the people, why not?” he said.

He added that this also showed the state government’s close relationship to the Federal government and pointed out that this was to the benefit of the people.

“I think this project should be received by the people according to what it is, and what we want to do for the people,” he said.

Pairin also urged Batu Sapi folk not to be swayed by emotions when casting their votes this Thursday and consider instead the future of their constituency and state.

“It is not about emotions and good oratory skills. We must view things objectively and obviously, what we want to see is development.

“So we tell the people to be smart, hear the truth and not false statements,” he said.

The battle for Batu Sapi is a three-way contest between BN, PKR and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

(Source : The Malaysian Insider)