Why no Public Transport System for KK? - Dr Jeff

KOTA KINABALU - “PM Najib and the SPAD chief should drive in the Kota Kinabalu peak hours traffic jam so that they can gauge for themselves the need for a proper public transport system befitting the RM26.6 billion that Sabah will be contributing to Petronas and the federal government in 2014” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief in response to the PM’s tweet that the (federal) government will continue to strive to provide the best public transport.

The federal government should no longer treat Sabah as its fixed deposit and cash cow to siphon its oil wealth and rich resources and leaving it to fend for itself.    This is more so when come 2015/2016, Sabah will be contributing more than RM50 billion in oil revenue to Petronas.

The federal government should no longer take Sabah’s oil and other revenues to fund development in Malaya and leaving Sabah lagging decades behind in development.   All over Sabah many people are left without proper clean treated water, without electricity and without proper roads and other infrastructure.

By all means build the RM36 billion Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit system if it is needed but don’t use moneys taken from Sabah and Sarawak and leaving nothing for the Borneo States.

At the same time, the Sabah government needs to be more assertive in seeking equitable and fair distribution of development funds for Sabah.   If it is for the good and benefit of Sabah and Sabahans, they should not be afraid to voice their requests.    After all, Sabah is not seeking or taking development from the other States but what is fair and square given Sabah’s contributions.

If the federal government is not listening and continue to treat Sabah with biasness, the Sabah government and their representatives should play hard-ball and give ultimatums.    Remind them that the Umno/BN federal government owes its power to the support of Sabah and Sarawak.

Little is being done to solve Kota Kinabalu’s growing traffic congestion problem.   Even the necessary flyovers are not built whereas they are built all over the city in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.  Putrajaya hardly generate any revenue by itself.

“There should be no doubt that Kota Kinabalu needs a good public transportation system, a proven monorail system!” stressed Dr. Jeffrey.

The Kota Kinabalu Monorail does not only benefit Sabahans.   The construction will boost the Sabah’s economy and generate further growth for Sabahans.  It will also boost and further grow the tourism industry in Sabah.  Sabah will progress and it will in turn contribute to the overall growth of Malaysia.

Govt will continue to provide best public transport system:Najib