Promises but funds not coming, say MPs

(NST) KUALA LUMPUR: Backbenchers from Sabah and Sarawak made it known in Parliament yesterday that they were unhappy that most of the development funds promised to them had yet to reach their states.

Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) said Sabah continued to be sidelined despite federal promises.

"We talk about independence and equality with Sabah and Sarawak but this is not case. We are embarrassed," declared Ghapur to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk S.K. Devamany.

Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kalabakan) demanded that Devamany inform the house which infrastructure facilities would be completed in his state.

"Can you give us a list of completed projects?" he asked Devamany.

Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) claimed the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) did not conduct sufficient field research on a project's urgency.

"What is needed in rural areas are clean water and electricity but I don't see the EPU paying attention to these.

"Why didn't the EPU execute all projects involving the upgrading or providing of basic necessities first?"

Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) said delays with development projects were not confined to Sabah and Sarawak but also the peninsula.

He blamed the "Little Napo-leons" for holding up projects.

"We have the commitment, policy and finances but we don't seem to able to execute them simply because civil servants are putting up road blocks. The ministers must ensure civil servants do what the government wants."

Devamany, while not being specific, said the government understood the suffering of those in Sabah and Sarawak.

"We are implementing the various projects as promised."

He said the the implementation of projects under the RM1 billion special allocation announced in June last year depended on requests made by the Sabah government.

"We received the list last November."