KEY ISSUE FOR SABAH IS FAIRNESS AND TRUST: MP

Kota Kinabalu, April 26, 2009: Kalabakan MP Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh said it is disappointing that the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) has no final say in the implementation of projects under the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC).

"It is very frustrating to note that the organisation which supposedly is in charge of the development programmes in Sabah is functioning (merely) as a group of planners.

"This is so because, they do not have the final say and they do not control the financial aspect of their activities," he said in a statement here, Saturday.

According to him, Sedia was established to become a one-stop centre so as to allow more efficient and expedient delivery. However, it seems that the Federal authorities do not have trust and confidence in the local people, he said.

"This is why Sedia is likened to a kite. The kite is let to fly but not to fly free because it is tied to a string handled by the flyer.

"This is why I insist that, in trying to expand the opportunities for Sabahans with the intention of disturbing wealth and development, the Federal authorities must also demonstrate that they do trust and are confident in us," he said.

Ghapur also suggested that the Bumiputera status for contractors registered with the Contractors Service Centre (PKK) needs to be fine-tuned and re-defined. For the purpose of Sabah and Sarawak, he said the term Bumiputera should only mean and imply the local Bumiputeras.

"To this effect, I would strongly suggest that all local jobs are strictly offered to local contractors. In cases of specialised jobs, the local contractors would be allowed "joint venture" with any specialised job contractors from anywhere. I am quite confident that none of Sabah contractors has been given the opportunity to take up jobs outside of Sabah," he said.

According to him, it would certainly bring the local contractors to attain greater heights in terms of competency and competitiveness, otherwise they would remain where they are, only waiting to close shop.

It seems the Federal authorities for whatever reasons still refuse to give enough opportunities to local contractors to participate in major projects implemented by the Federal authorities, he said.

"I have received many reports and complains, where there are many Class A PKK contractors who are forced to close shop because they could not secure jobs. It is disheartening to see that for every tender offered, there will be no less than 60 companies present at the site inspection. A scenario proving how desperate the local contractors are," he said.

Ghapur said Felda in Sabah, for example, since its inception had been unfair to the local contractors.

"It has come to my attention that most of their major jobs are still implemented by contractors who are non-Sabahans. Tenders are offered at the Felda office in Kuala Lumpur.

"As such, due to unawareness, tenderers from Sabah are very limited (if any) and are rarely given the job. In some cases, the local companies are only proxy companies for businessmen from outside Sabah," he claimed.

He further claimed that such unfairness was not only common in Felda but also other Federal authorities.

He said he had been vocal in many instances about fairness in the distribution of opportunities for Sabah and Sabahans.

"For this, I am indeed glad to see some positive response. For that, I pledge that I will not stop to fight for Sabahans. I, however, beg to emphasise that I am not against or anti-anyone or any community.

"To me, I am merely demanding what I think the people of Sabah think they deserve. At this opportunity, I would like to stress upon fairness and trust from the Federal authorities towards Sabahans," he said.

Ghapur said with the new leadership, the people are now expecting some radical changes before they can reinstate their confidence in the BN Government.