Queville ToSabahans mourn costlier rice, heavier taxes, higher costs and Barisan Nasional's protectionist policy.
Yong, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) chief said there was no reason for this to happen as the government could subsidise the freight charges for goods shipped to Sabah to ensure the prices of goods in the country were equal.
He said the federal government should do this without any further delay if it really cares for the well being of Sabah people.
He contended that if the federal government could afford to give more than RM250 million per year to subsidise the four main highways in Peninsular Malaysia in order to keep the toll rates low and lessen the burden on road users, it should have no problem applying the same strategy to assist the people of Sabah.
The prices of goods in Sabah have always been higher than Peninsular Malaysia ever since the state joined the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia in 1963.
“Before Sabah joined to form Federation of Malaysia, cargo ships from all over the world could come to Sabah and Kota Kinabalu to load and unload goods freely.
“But this was no longer the case after the formation of Malaysia,” he pointed out.
Protectionist policy
The cause of the imbalance has also been put down to the imposition of the controversial Cabotage Policy introduced introduced in 1980, which critics say was a protectionist policy which has benefited a privileged few shipping companies.
As a result, today it costs the Sabah traders more than RM2,000 to bring in goods and merchandises in a 20-foot container.
This thus contributed to higher cost of doing business in Sabah and inevitably contributing to a high cost of living, as the traders have no choice but to pass on the additional cost to the consumers.
Making matter worse, the average take-home pay for a consumer in Sabah is currently the lowest in the country.
Yong also took a swipe at the centralization of powers by the federal government which he said had caused great misery to the people of Sabah.
He said even the conversion of a van into a hearse had to be approved in Putrajaya as the party found out when it applied for such a conversion to carter for the needs of the residents in Sepanggar.
Also in the line of fire was the performance of Bernas (Padiberas Nasional), the country’s sole rice importer.
Rice is costlier in Sabah
The government entity stands accused of hindering Sabah’s potential to become a major rice
producer in the country and causing the marketing of costlier rice in the state as no one else is allowed to import or export rice.
“If we could plant padi ourselves, not only can we achieve self-sufficiency we could even have surplus for export.
“When I was the Chief Minister and (current Parliamentary Speaker) Pandikar Amin was the State Agriculture Minister we had planned to undertake large scale padi plantation to make sure that Sabah could become self sufficient within three to five years and even have surplus to export rice to other countries.
“Unfortunately, in today’s situation, even if we have surplus of rice supply, we have no right to export rice, as it is the exclusive right of Bernas.
“Even the state government is not allowed to import and export rice on its own.
“And on top of that, each and every family in Sabah is subsidizing Bernas as the rice sold in Sabah cost more than the rice sold in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I have highlighted this many times in the past, but until today Bernas just plays dumb.
“My question is, why do our Sabah leaders allow this to happen?
“This is what I called State-Federal collusion or “bersokongkol” in Malay and “kapsit sama” in Hakka.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re corrupt, grabbing people’s land etc, no action will be taken by the MACC so long as you listen and kow-tow to the federal leaders,” he said.
Political autonomy
He said the situation was such that it was time for the people of Sabah to seriously ponder upon the meaning of independence.
“Don’t be mistaken that we are fighting for cession from Malaysia.
“We have already explained this in our fight for political autonomy before.
“But, lets examine the true meaning of independence for us in Sabah, after being part of the Federation for the last 48 years,” he said.
The recent 'merge' of shares of MAS and Airasia will eventually create a new entity that will make travel more costly for Sabahans. Such action was a reversal of previous air transport policy from competitive operations among main airlines - MAS & Airasia to a monopoly situation under the new entity.
ReplyDeleteFederal Govt has always tried to create a situation that will only benefit those cronies under UMNO as the expense of east malaysia. Under the new entity enviroment, cost of air fares will be subject to a lot of other hidden costs that people from east malaysia will have to pay. Now no every body can travel.
For Sabah to overcome such unfavorable situation & to maintain low airfares, the State Govt must have an 'open sky' policy so that foreign airlines are allowed to come in direct with tourists from overseas & without any conditions attach. This can only be implemented not under the BN govt but hopefully the new State Administration.
This is another air transport policy be implemented by the federal govt to the disadvantage of Sabahans.
Can someone tells me who the Sabah CM was at the time when a 15% sales tax was imposed on all 4D when there are no such tax in other parts of Malaysia.Yes,only in Sabah.
ReplyDeleteWhen some powers fall within the ambit of their authority as CM they used it to create hardships on their own people but when the federal government introduced certain tax this very man who was the CM that introduced the sales tax on Sabah 4D hypocritically cried foul
Shameless leader!
Can someone tells me who is the Sabah CM who oppose 4D to be setup in Sabah if not YTL?
ReplyDeleteThe ANON above must be $$$$ worshiper who encourage gambling in Sabah. I reckon you better repent instead of to seduce more Sabah people to indulging in gambling like TOTO, STC and etc.
Hypocrisy is the trait of Sabah leaders including YTL.Tell the people that SAPP leaders and members are not gamblers and they do not patronise any 4D outlets.
ReplyDeleteIts nothing to be ashamed in trying one's luck at a game of chance.Millions of Malaysians do that at every draw.I for one is not a hyporite to say I don't.
The point is why Sabahans are being picked to bear the burden of paying more when other Malaysians in the Peninsular are not.Why should Sabahans have to pay more?I hope my point is understood.
If I were to stop patronising the 4D outlet there are still millions of Sabahans still keep on buying and they are made to look like fools for paying extra ringgit than those in other parts of Malaysia including Sarawak.
SAPP leaders should not impose their religious beliefs(if any) towards others.Even if you pray every day to your God you should not condemn others who do not.Even if you are rich enough as not to bother and indulge in any game of chance you should not condemn those who are poor and wish to try their luck.If this is what SAPP is all about then I leave it to the readers and to all Malaysians especially Sabahans to judge the party and its leaders.I have made my stand.
Cabotage system must be abolished once and for all.
ReplyDeleteSabahans should not have to pay more.
ReplyDeleteDatuk,not just mourning but only shaking heads yet vote and support the same government to rule Sabah again and again!
ReplyDeleteAll about Cabotage policies.
ReplyDeleteHistory may repeat itself if SAPP were to win the election.
ReplyDeletegin, are you a fortune teller or scumbag?
ReplyDeleteparty malaya UMNO and PR are the same and will reject by Sabah people in this coming election.
The people already aware about the problem that is happening to sabah . Problem is right now is when will action be taken to solve it.
ReplyDeleteWhen all the party from malaya been kicked out from Sabah. 99% of Sabah problems will be solved.
ReplyDeletePKR = Former UMNO
ReplyDeleteDAP = Former MCA.
PR and UMNO are the same.
Sabah people will send them back to malaya in GE13!
sebarang isu yang timbul ia perlu diberikan perhatian yang sewajarnya..
ReplyDeleteapa pun, yang penting keperluan dan kepentingan rakyat perlu diutamakan.
ReplyDeleteOnly local Sabah opposition party SAPP can bring back the glory of Sabah like 1970s.
ReplyDeleteSabah people had pissed off and enough of those bullshits from party malaya PR or UMNO leaders.
Who gives more, i put my hands up to them!
ReplyDeletepolitics is like this, sometimes you do the right thing and sometimes you just can't help to do that thing.....
ReplyDeleteMusang bin tidak aman is the most corrupted Cm in Sabah. He proudly made Sabah the POOREST in Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteOnly idiots will support him bcos of RM50.
And also we might not able to satisfied everyone in one time.
ReplyDeleteFor the past 9 years musang bin tidak aman is sleeping in his jobs about people problems. He is the WORST cm in Sabah.
ReplyDeleteThe worst CM is not Musa Aman but Yong Teck Lee.Only fools support him and worst you will regret the rest of your life for voting SAPP.The leaders are opportunists and just know how to play with the rakyat emotions.Reject SAPP!
ReplyDeleteWe are standing on " woods ".
ReplyDeleteTak tahu la apa nak cakap, nak komplen kena cakap tak pandai bsyukur, diam orang kata kita ni dungu.
ReplyDeleteFor the anon above, I think you must be from tawi-tawi pilipin and not a Sabahan.
ReplyDeleteMusang bin tidak aman is the most CORRUPTED CM in Sabah and made Sabah the POOREST in malaysia for the past 9 years.
None of the Sabah CM can break your Pakistan CM records with CORRUPTION and INCOMPETENCY.
You vote UMNO in order to import your Illegal Immigrants from pakistan, pilipin and indonesia to come into Sabah.
Those UMNO dogs like you should be charged for treason. Reject party malaya UMNO and PR.
luah, kamu bersyukurkah tanah2 orang kampung kita dirampas oleh pendatang haram dan KM seorang paksitan?
ReplyDeleteKamu tunggulah ketulahan kamu dari Allahku. Cuba kamu sumpah laknat buktikan setan umno tidak pernah merampas tanah bumiputra Sabah? Berani buat, berani tanggung. Jangan macam pondan!
No doubt! Musa is the WORST ever CM in Sabah. He must be charged for corruption and treason.
ReplyDeleteumno adalah punca segala-gala masalah2 dihadapi oleh orang kita.
ReplyDeleteOrang kita mesti TOLAK umno dalam PRU13.
memang perlu memansuhkan cabotage policy kerana ini membawa beban kepada rakyat dan ini cukup menunjukkan perbezaan di antara Semenanjung dan Sabah & Sarawak.
ReplyDeleteKenapa kos kehidupan di Sarawak lebih rendah jika dibanding dengan Sabah? Jawapannya sebab Sabah ditadbir oleh parti malaya UMNO yang kasih susah orang Sabah dan terus merampas hasil bumi Sabah.
ReplyDeleteSabah under malaysia is always as a disadvantage end.Federal Govt decision making is to ensure that Sabah remains poor & underdeveloped so that west malaysia will continue to colonize Sabah.
ReplyDeleteSabah elected leaders under BN have become the servants of UMNO due to greed and become most corrupted as with their counterparts in west malaysia.
Sabahans can not depend on the present corrupted leaders under BN to develop the state, however, Sabahans can help themselves by doing the right to make changes in coming GE13. We must fight for our autonomy and rights. We can not depend on parties from west malaysia as history has shown that they are here to colonize, and divide and rule.
We can only depend on local party to develop the State and solve the many problems created by UMNO/BN.
Jangan pandang rendah pada PATI.Banyak ahli SAPP pun dari PATI juga dan YTL pun minta sokongan PATI juga dalam pilihanraya.Jangan pula SAPP berpura-pura nampak baik di hadapan rakyat tapi di belakang macam serigala.
ReplyDeleteMajoriti rakyat maseh di belakang BN.Cakap dan kritik lah hingga puas hati tapi BN tetap di hati rakyat dan Datuk Musa Aman akan terus menarajui kerajaan Sabah sebagai Ketua Menteri.
YTL dan lain-lain pemimpin pembangkang boleh tunggu 50 tahun lagi lah untuk jadi kerajaan.Itu pun kalau panjang umur dan maseh kuat.50 tahun lagi ialah 2065.Selamat mencuba!
polisi yang tidak menguntungkan rakyat sabah dan sarawak harus dimansuhkan terus sesuai dengan slogan rakyat didahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan.
ReplyDelete1malaysia, 1harga.
ReplyDeletekita tunggu dan lihat siapa yang akan menang pada PRU akan datang...rakyat sabah tahu menilai dan memilih pemimpin mereka...
ReplyDeletediharap najib akan memansuhkan polisi ini seperti mana beliau memansuhkan ISA...
ReplyDeleteBukankah lebih baik jika abotage system dihapuskan sama sekali:P hhmmm, bahagia hidup:P
ReplyDeleteNamun mahu cakap banyak pun susah. Bukannya dapat buat apa2 pun, sama juga terpaksa beli dengan harga yang dah ditetapkan. huhu
ReplyDeleteSaya setuju dengan matt, sesuai dengan slogan 1Malaysia kerajaan harus pastikan polisi yang dilaksanakan memberi kebaikan kepada rakyat.
ReplyDeleteNamun terpulanglah pada rakyat untuk menilai sendiri hal ini. Saya yakin rakyat tahu apa yang patut dilakukan.
ReplyDeleteApapun, kita tunggu dan lihat sajalah apa yang bakal berlaku selanjutnya.
ReplyDeletemana2 polisi yg membebankan dan tidak menguntungkan harus dimansuhkan.
ReplyDeletedan wujudkanlah apa2 polisi yang memberi kesenangan kepada rakyat.
ReplyDeleteBecause the cost to send item to Sabahan difference with Peninsular.
ReplyDeletePolisi yang ada juga mempenegaruhi harga sesuatu barang. Jadi kalau YTL nafikan juga tidak ada guna. Orang menghantar barang mesti memerlukan kos seperti Tenaga pekerja, minyak dan perkhidmatan. Jadi YTL mesti pandai menilai sendiri tidakkan mereka mahu rugi..
ReplyDeleteSebagai seorang yang berpendidikkan seperti Yong Teck Lee seharusnya pertanyaan yang mudah ini tidak perlulah dipersoalkan. Jangan buat-buat tidak tahu mengenai kos penghantaran semua. Perlukan kita pemimpin sebegini? Memang jiwa rakyat ada tapi untuk kepentingan diri sendiri semata-mata dan bukannya untuk rakyat sepenuhnya. Masalah sebegini pun mahu ditanya sedangkan YTL sendiri tahu akan semua ini tapi buat-buat tidak tahu.
ReplyDeleteThe FG have to work something out of this tho.
ReplyDeleteWell, the cost from the west always higher than the east...it's been that way for years now.
ReplyDeleteother reasons maybe??
ReplyDeleteEverything has increased in their price, we can't escape this.
ReplyDeleteshi
ReplyDelete1Malaysia, 1Harga...
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing we can do on federal govt.
ReplyDeleteBiasalah, kan Sabah selalu dipandang rendah. Bukan perkara baru pun.
ReplyDeleteWell oh well, how I wish Sabah is independent from the very first day.
ReplyDeleteSemoga kerajaan membuat sesuatu terhadap kos pengangkutan yang amat tinggi yang menyebabkan harga barangan tinggi di Sabah.
ReplyDeleteMay be good if "standardized the pricing" to entire Malaysia inclusive Sabah & Sarawak.
ReplyDeleteMansuhkan polisi yang bebankan semua rakyat Sabah.
ReplyDeletePendapatan orang Sabah susah menampung kos barang yang amat tinggi. Kalau kerajaan sanggup memberi subsidy pengangkutan, memang satu tindakan yang lagi bijak untuk kurangkan beban kami.
ReplyDelete"Unfortunately, in today’s situation, even if we have surplus of rice supply, we have no right to export rice, as it is the exclusive right of Bernas. Even the state government is not allowed to import and export rice on its own."
ReplyDeleteIt's a great idea if Sabah allow to export rice to other country to increase state revenue. Such revenue, may be good to development and expansion plan.
kemiskinan dan rampasan tanah juga berlaku ketika YTL sebagai KM Sabah.. tiada perubahan malah semakin teruk.. bukan YTL sorang saja di Sabah yang layak jadi KM.. ramai lagi yang berlipat kali ganda lebih baik dari YTL.. macam la tidak ada pilihan lain sampai YTL yang pernah menyusahkan rakyat diagung2kan..
ReplyDeleteKesemua kos pengangkutan sebenarnya pengguna yang menampung, itu lar menyebabkan penduduk semakin terdesak dengan harga barangan yang amat tinggi di Sabah.
ReplyDelete"If we could plant padi ourselves, not only can we achieve self-sufficiency we could even have surplus for export."
ReplyDeleteProjek ini seharus dijalankan supaya Sabah mendapat bekalan padi sendiri dan kelebihan boleh diekspot keluar negara. Ini mendatangkan pendapat yang lumayan dan taraf hidup penduduk juga diperbaiki.
harryzan said...
ReplyDeletekemiskinan dan rampasan tanah juga berlaku ketika YTL sebagai KM Sabah..
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Jika tuduhan kamu benar YTL merampas tanah orang kampung kita, kenapa kerajaan BN tidak mengambil tindakan? Kenapa anjing2 BN macam kamu dan PR hanya tahu berfitnah?
Aku sudah bosan dengan anjing2 BN dan PR yang berniat jahat dengan mulut berbau busuk.
State government should entitled the rights to handle their own financial and state revenue for efficiency and effectiveness control and development.
ReplyDeleteKes rampas tanah berlaku sejak berpuluh-puluh tahun, sehingga kini masih lagi kes rampas tanah tetapi tiada pihak tampil diri untuk mempertahankan hak milik penduduk.
ReplyDeletebetul kata Chee, polisi dan akta yang tidak baik untuk rakyat, seharus dimansuhkan.
ReplyDeleteBetul cakap Harryzan tu pasal YTL.Jahanam SAPP!
ReplyDeletebetul cakap peter pasal niat setan harryzan dan anon diatas, mereka dua ini adalah pembelot kepada Sabah. Jahanam!
ReplyDeleteKamu dua tunggulah ketulahan kamu dari Allah!
Ini cakap politik tidak ada kena mengena dengan Allah.Anon diatas kenapa bodoh mau babit Allah pula.Sudah tidak ada sokongan rakyat?
ReplyDeleteIni lah dia kualiti penyokong SAPP.kalau sudah tidak ada modal politik dia minta Allah pula jatuhkan hukuman.Memang pun sekolah atap.
Aku mahu tanya Anon diatas, orang umno RASUAH bukan melanggar ajaran Allah ke? Kamu sembah duit haram atau setan? Jangan kasih malu Allahku sebab perangai setan kamu.
ReplyDeleteKalau cakap pasal haram ikut belakang pemimpin cina pun haram.Haram ini luas interpretasi nya.Berjuang dengan pemimpin bangsa lain dalam parti yang sama pun haram.Orang Islam duduk kedai kopi cina pun haram.Jadi kenapa cakap pasal rasuah saja.
ReplyDelete