Make public decision on projects, reps told

0

KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives and community leaders should make it a point to inform the people about decisions on controversial government projects.

According to Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Kampung Pogunon branch chief Aloysius Danim Siap, it does not matter whether it was good or bad news, it is the elected representatives and community leaders’ responsibility to disseminate such information.

Aloysius was of the opinion that media reports about decisions on controversial government projects may not be accurate all the time, hence the need for the elected representatives and community leaders to go down to the ground and talk to the people.

“The elected representatives and community leaders should make public announcements about the decisions on projects such as the government’s proposal to relocate the squatters from Sri Tanjung to Kampung Maang, as well as the proposal to build a water treatment plant in the area.

“Most of the villagers in and around Kampung Maang as well as residents in the district are in the dark about the outcome of their protests against these two proposals,” he said.

The government had in fact agreed to shelve both projects after strong protests from residents, elected representatives, community leaders and NGOs as well as residents from Penampang.

Aloysius was commenting on Kampung Maang Village Development and Security Committee chairman Charles Jimis’ statement that SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee was  given the wrong information on the issues affecting the village.

According to Charles, Yong should not have raised the issue of squatters from Sri Tanjung being relocated to Kampung Maang as it has been settled about two years ago.

“The state government had two years ago agreed not to go ahead with the proposal to relocate the Sri Tanjung squatters to Kampung Maang, so it is wrong for Datuk Yong to bring up that issue again,” he said, adding that the BN government has been very proactive in resolving the problems of the people in Kampung Maang.