GE13: SAPP is committed to uplifting livelihood and well-being of people

By Victor Ma

SAPP pledges more affordable housing for its growing young population.

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Progressive Party is committed to uplifting the quality of life and well-being of the Kota Kinabalu city dwellers, and to turn the State capital into a vibrant city.

Reiterating this was Melanie Chia, its candidate for Luyang state constituency, while speaking at its nightly ‘Kopitiam Ceramah’ at the vicinity of the Foh Sang shops.

She said SAPP’s commitment towards achieving this can be seen in the drawing up of the “Kota Kinabalu Area Local Plan” for the Kota Kinabalu City area stretching right up to Moyog.

This Plan was subsequently incorporated into its “Kota Kinabalu Local Manifesto”.

Melanie (right) proudly noted that SAPP is perhaps the first political party which had launched the manifesto way ahead of the GE13, adding it contained 17 promises.

“SAPP’s Land Reform was launched even earlier in November 2011, followed by the launch of the State Economic Plan in January 2012.

“Unlike other political parties in the country which had made several amendments to their manifesto, SAPP’s manifesto had not been altered despite its early launch,” she pointed out.

The SAPP wanita chief explained this was possible due to the fact that being a well-established local party, SAPP is well aware of the issues that are affecting the people of Sabah.

“Local plans have also been drawn up to address the needs and expectations of the different region,” she noted.

The 10 pledges in the KK Local Manifesto are as follows:

1. SECURITY AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS

•         Illegals who are the root cause of crimes and social problems will be flushed out.

•         Improve Street lighting to deter untoward incidences.

•         Enhance Community Policing.

2. IMPROVED TRAFFIC CIRCULATION

•         Accelerate the construction of flyovers at:

-           Jalam Kolam/Jalan Lintas Junction

-           Inanam/Tuaran Bypass

-           Lintas/Penampang Junction

•         Build overhead bridges:

-           Across Jalan Damai

-           Across Jalan Kolam at Foh Sang

3. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

•         To ensure that all routes into and out of the city and the surrounding satellite towns are served by public transportation.

•         Routing and schedules of public transportation will have commuters’ convenience and interest as priority.

•         Amenities at public transportation depots are upgraded.

4. PARKING FACILITIES

•         To make sure there are sufficient parking spaces at affordable prices at the business areas.

•         To utilise unused ‘open spaces’ (abandoned sewerage treatment area) and convert these areas into parking spaces for the housing areas.

5. FLASH FLOOD MITIGATION

•         Flash flooding problem in the City area be addressed with urgency and not on a intermittent manner.

•         The drainage system will be upgraded and a regiment maintenance schedule will be enforced.

6. PUBLIC AMENITIES

•         Build a Wet Market at the open space next to Dewan Damai.

•         Build a Multi-storey Carpark and Activity Centre with One-Stop Payment Centre for utilities bills at Foh Sang.

7. PROMOTE LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

•         To capitalise on Foh Sang as the ‘Yam Ca’ place and enhance this area as an eatery attraction and a savvy place of local fruits by building a roof over the road.

•         Enliven Penampang as an educational hub and set up a bazaar in Moyog for locals to sell farm produce and handiware.

•         To facelift Tanjung Aru Water Village to become a tourist attraction.

•         Refurbish the Central Market to become a landmark and a tourist attraction.

•         Improve the surrounding at the Sinsuran area and with the Handicraft Market, enhance its touristic value.

•         Upgrade the Kg. Air Night Market to become a tourist attraction.

8. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

·         Build affordable apartments with community recreational facilities to replace squatter settlements in the Kota Kinabalu area

·         Revive abandoned housing schemes such as Taman Makmur which had its OC withdrawn by DBKK.

9. PUBLIC RECREATION

•         City parks and housing parks will be upgraded to give city dwellers better quality of life.

•         Special attention will be given to Prince Phillip Park.

•         Communal recreational areas such as basketball courts will be maintained to the standard required to promote the sport

10. ENHANCE LIVING ENVIRONMENT

•         Provide SULO bins to all the households in the rated areas.

•         Instil environmental awareness in the living environment.