Wetrom Bahanda (KDM-Kota Marudu) said the federal government should take drastic and appropriate measures to bridge the gap between Sabah and other states in terms of the provision of basic amenities such as electricity and water supply, as well as roads.
He said this was especially important in the poorer districts as these facilities could help improve the economy of the locals as well as attract investors to the state.
“I believe that if the government succeeds in helping poorer areas like Kota Marudu overcome these issues, God willing, it will aid in the government’s efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty,” Bernama quoted him as saying in the Dewan Rakyat.
On healthcare, Wetrom said there were complaints that those who died had to be sent to mortuaries in Kudat and Pitas, as the refrigerator at the Kota Marudu Hospital morgue had broken down.
Richard Riot (GPS-Serian) highlighted the dilapidated and cramped conditions at the Serian Hospital.
He said there were also clinics that were still semi-concrete and with only staircase access, causing accessibility issues.
On education, Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) urged the government to consider building another university in Sabah so that those who wished to further their studies would not have to travel far.
He said at present, there was only one higher education institute in the state — Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
“If there is a university in Tawau or Keningau, this will help our children, not only in terms of avoiding having to go far away from home, but it will also help to reduce the costs for some who are otherwise unable to continue their studies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anyi Ngau (GPS-Baram) called on the government to implement a project to improve logging trails in the interior of Sarawak and Sabah, including in his constituency.
“If it’s not possible to build a new (road), it’s okay, but we ask that logging trails in Baram and other rural areas be improved so that urban and rural areas remain connected.”
Apart from that, he said internet coverage in the interior should also be looked at by the relevant ministries as the current infrastructure was inaccessible to locals.
The Parliament sitting continues tomorrow.