NABAWAN: All applications for rural development projects will be reviewed before they are approved, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.
He said the government is only giving priority to projects that will greatly benefit the people.
“Projects that contribute to the comfort of the people will be given priority by the government,”he said when approving a project to improve the Kampung Tataluan longhouse that was built in 1966 during a gathering with the people in the village here yesterday.
Kurup said the government is concerned over the welfare of the people in the rural areas although some in the area did not support Barisan Nasional (BN) in the last general election.
He said there was no reason for the people to reject the BN candidates as the opposition at that time only knew to make promises for them should they win. According to him, even though at the last election, the people did not vote for him the government still provided assistance to the people in this area, which every government of the day should.
Kurup, who is the Pensiangan member of parliament, added the people should understand that it will be easier to get development projects and assistance if the BN candidate wins.
He said there is no reason why people in rural areas, especially Pensiangan, should live in the poverty level and require government assistance despite not supporting the BN.
According to him, the government is committed to help improve the lives of the people and the future of their children.
At the same time, Kurup called on the leaders of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) in the area to find out what is needed by the people in this area and all the problems they face and submit them to the party’s top leadership for further action.
Kurup also requested that PBRS leaders to go to the villages to register young voters.
More than 300 people, including PBRS advisor Datuk Kadoh Agundong, PBRS vice presidents Jeremy Malazad and Richard Kastum, and other PBRS leaders were present at the event, where Kurup received 50 new membership applications to join PBRS.