KOTA KINABALU: Sabah UMNO has expressed scepticism regarding the statement made by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, who announced that the state government has successfully achieved its target of eradicating hard-core poverty in the state as of July this year.
Sabah UMNO information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said that the claim raises doubts, as the public is eager to understand the source of the government’s data, especially considering that the eight districts identified as the poorest in Sabah continue to struggle with poverty.
“This does not account for other districts where individuals may have been overlooked and are living in extreme poverty. Therefore, such an announcement appears extraordinary; however, we are concerned that it may merely be rhetoric on paper, intended to please the eyes and ears of the public, while the reality remains vastly different,” he remarked.
Suhaimi made these comments in response to Hajiji’s recent declaration in Kota Marudu, where he announced that Sabah is now free from the clutches of hard-core poverty.
Hajiji, who is also the Chairman of GRS, made this announcement to the media during the launch of the Pioneer Rice Planting Project in Kampung Ongkilan, Kota Marudu, last Tuesday.
In this context, Suhaimi, who is also the Member of Parliament for Libaran, emphasised that such statements should be supported by accurate data and made available to the public to instill confidence among the people of Sabah.
He further added that if the statement is indeed true based on actual data, the citizens of the state would undoubtedly be impressed by the government’s significant achievement in lifting the people of Sabah out of hard poverty in such a short time.
“If the issue of poverty has been resolved, another expectation from the public is that the government must also take decisive action to address basic infrastructure issues, including clean water supply, road connectivity, electricity supply, and other essential services,” he added.
Suhaimi said that a comprehensive resolution to the fundamental infrastructure issues must be addressed promptly, as it is closely linked to the interests of the citizens who expect to have access to complete basic amenities such as roads, water, and electricity.
“This access is essential for facilitating their business activities and marketing agricultural products, which can significantly assist them in escaping the depths of extreme poverty, Suhaimi added.
