KOTA BELUD: Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (ANAK NEGERI) today called on the current Kadamaian Assemblyman to either fully commit to his state constituency or step aside for someone who can.
Priskila Akwila, the party’s Women’s Chief and Kota Belud coordinator, stressed that Kadamaian shouldn’t be a secondary concern for a state assemblyman primarily focused on his roles as Penampang Member of Parliament and Minister of Cooperatives and Entrepreneurship.
“While Ewon has clearly been diligent in promoting cooperatives and entrepreneurship nationwide, he has unfortunately not brought significant development to Kadamaian as its State Assemblyman,” Priskila stated.
She highlighted Kadamaian’s substantial potential in tourism and agriculture, which she believes remains largely untapped due to the current assemblyman’s lack of dedicated focus.
“I agree with the people of Kadamaian that Ewon should concentrate on his responsibilities as a Member of Parliament and a Federal Minister, allowing someone else to take on the duty of Kadamaian assemblyman,” she added.
Priskila also questioned the assemblyman’s failure to establish a Kadamaian agricultural industrial zone, which would help with the collection, packaging, processing, and marketing of agricultural produce.
She also raised concerns about the state of tourism infrastructure in the area.
“What tourism infrastructure has been developed in Kadamaian?” Priskila asked.
She pointed out that Melangkap, with its cool, clear river, is ideal for tourists and visitors from Kota Kinabalu, yet it suffers from a severe lack of tourism infrastructure and promotion.
Priskila, a native of Kg Melangkap Kota Belud, also questioned the lack of attention given to Pekan Nabalu by Ewon. She noted that thousands of travellers, including international tourists, visit Pekan Nabalu daily for its stunning panoramic views of Mount Kinabalu.
However, the town itself is unkempt and offers little beyond fruit stalls, often leaving visitors wondering about the lack of proper facilities.
Furthermore, a persistent issue is the severely potholed exit road from the fruit vendor area, which has gone unrepaired for three years, seemingly unbeknownst to Ewon.
This neglect mirrors broader concerns in Kadamaian, where youth unemployment is widespread, forcing many young people to leave the Kota Belud district for urban areas in search of work.
“Since he became the assemblyman, there has been no tangible change whatsoever, apart from a large signboard in almost every corner of Kadamaian featuring his picture,” she concluded.
