Sabahans still have confidence in BN’s credibility: MP
KOTA KINABALU:
Confidence in the Barisan Nasional’s credibility and its ability to fulfill its election manifesto was the reason why people in Sabah rejected the Opposition during the 12th General Election, Putatan Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh said. “In this respect, it is imperative that the BN Government implements all developments planned in Sabah and Sarawak without delay,” he said in his debate to support the motion of thanks to the King’s royal address in the Parliament. No longer overlooking their needs, he pointed out, is the Federal Government’s way to repay the confidence of the people for giving it the mandate to govern the country. Mojigoh in his speech raised several issues which he said needed to be addressed by the Government, including the task of BN leaders in Sabah and Sarawak to explain to the people that only a credible BN Government could administer the country. “Credible here means BN is fair to all, provides equal education, development and other opportunities regardless of race and religion to all the rakyat,” he said. Mojigoh spoke briefly about the presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah, a perennial problem in the State which has yet to be resolved. “The problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah has yet to see a concrete solution. In fact, the Government plans to issue IMM13 documents to the illegal immigrants from Pulau Karuman in Labuan. This will never be accepted by Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak,” he stressed. The other urgent issues are road, water and electricity supplies in many villages in Sabah and Mojigoh said it was important for the Government to focus on development in rural areas, especially in the aspect of roads as well as developing of land to assist the needy rural folk to uplift their socioeconomic status. At this juncture, Tititwangsa PAS Member of Parliament Dr Lo’ Lo’ Mohamad Ghazali stood up and said that the only way to get immediate development in Sabah is when an elected representative in the State passed away, paving way for a by election.“When an elected representative passes away, a by-election will be held and it is the expressway for developmnt. Allocations of RM30 million to RM70 million will be approved within three to four days,” he said. Mojigoh in reply said that the Titiwangsa MP’s statement belittled the feelings of Sabahans and that it was the Opposition’s tactic to twist their words. His statements led to several other MPs both from the BN and Opposition interrupting him but he declined to give way and continued with his speech. Mojigoh pointed out that the big mandate given to BN in Sabah was the result of Sabahans feeling that they no longer wanted to be overlooked by the central leadership and this, he has reminded as well as appealed many times to the House. When Rantau Panjang PAS MP Hajah Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff interjected and asked for his opinion why Sabah and Sarawak continued to be overlooked and treated like the states governed by the Opposition, Mojigoh replied, “I understand what you are trying to say but it is irrelevant whether I agree or not.” To a question from BN-Umno MP Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique (Tenggara) whether he was confident that the Opposition could, by inviting BN elected representatives to “move into a terrace house”, guarantee a better future for the people, he said: “The question of moving does not arise. The people in Sabah and Sarawak are used to living anywhere as long as there is credibility. The credibility of the Barisan Nasional has been proven but not the Opposition. What we are seeing in Selangor is shameful. So why move?” His statement again prompted several opposition MPs to stand up but Mojigoh did not relent since he said he still had a to raise to the Governmet particularly pertaining to people’s aspiration. “The Opposition MPs a preventing the BN backbench from raising issues and aspirations the rakyat,” he said when met he during the Parliament weekend break. “As you can see from the Hansar there is not enough time for us speak for our constituents as we a disturbed by the Opposition on t pretext of asking for point clarifications,” he said. However, Mojigoh said he would not be perturbed in carrying out his responsibility entrusted to him b the people who returned him as MP for another term. The Hansard of his debate speech can be viewed at his Putatan BNBB website.
