I would like to clarify that the reason that the villagers in Matunggong, who were reported to be taking muddy water from the drying river, was not due to an insufficient water supply in their village, but it is because of poverty. It has been widely reported that the villagers were too poor and simply cannot afford to pay the connection costs for basic water supply.
Therefore it is the federal government that should be blamed for its failure to safeguard the interest of Sabahans and provide basic necessities to Sabahans. This is a very real scenario in Sabah day in day out.
DAP Sabah slams Rahman Dahlan for twisting the facts of this issue. He is being inconsiderate and is completely shameless for blaming the Opposition but will never admit to the mistakes made by the federal government or tell the truth about the situation. He is merely playing cheap political games at the expense of the villagers.
The government has been proudly claiming its “success” in reducing the poverty rate in Sabah from 19.7% in 2009 to 8.1% in 2012. This situation shows that the government’s figures are unrealistic and do not reflect the real scenario in Sabah.
Najib and his Ministers again fail to understand the real problems facing the people but continue to spin-doctor the facts in Sabah. In fact, from our experience in the rural areas such as Kammpung Samparita Laut, Kota Marudu and Kampung Pangi, Tenom, these villages did not have access to to basic water and electricity supply until our Impian Sabah team went in to install a gravity feed water system there. There are still many kampung like this out there which have no access to basic infrastructure and/or are not connected to basic amenities.
DAP will stand behind the people of Sabah firmly and strive to fight for equality for all Sabahans as well as all Malaysians. Basic infrastructure is a fundamental dignity for all citizens. Why are there stil so many lawful citizens not enjoying basic amenities after the formation of Malaysia 52 years ago? This is most unfair and is a violation of the basic rights of the people of Sabah and Malaysia.
We wish to make it clear that DAP did not reject the construction of the dam ‘just for the sake of objecting to the project’, but we believe in a holistic framework which does not sacrifice native lands for the sake of development and it is out of respect for the villagers.
I think it is shameful that Matunggong has this problem seeing that the constituency falls under Maximus Ongkili, who is currently the Minister of Green Technology, Energy and Water. He should immediately explain to the public on this particular issue and help the villagers, rather than remaining completely silent!
In addition to that, Rahman Dahlan as a Cabinet Minister and BN Sabah Secretary should focus on how to solve the poverty problem in Sabah, and not simply bark up the wrong tree and absolving the federal government of its responsibility to the people of Sabah.