LOOK INTO THE PEOPLES WELFARE : JAINAB

KOTA KINABALU: Programmes initiated by the previous administration which benefits the people should be maintained instead of being shelved, said Sabah Wanita Umno Chief, Datuk Dr Jainab Ahmad. 

Citing programmes like the monthly cycling activity held in Tanjung Lipat and programmes which involves going down to grassroots levels to look into the people’s welfare, she said such programmes not only benefits but engages community involvement. 

She said the current administration can also learn from the previous administration where sensitive issues such as addressing matters concerning street children and stateless children are concerned. 

“They should take the local people’s interest into account instead of imposing laws which appears to favour foreigners more,” she said. 

She also noted how during the previous administration, the chief minister at that time would always listen to the people and the ministers on matters related to welfare of those with special needs, etc. 

“There were allocations to carry out activities for those with special needs, they were happy because we try to be inclusive to everybody, but it seems nowadays there is no such allocations anymore,” she said. 

She said previous administration has made an effort to initiate a public friendly approach in order to engage everyone from all levels. 

She also noted that initiatives such as the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) and the Goods Sales Tax (GST) under the previous administration has helped the people more compared to the current Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) and Sales and Services Tax (SST). 

“I personally think what is good should be continued and done better instead of shelfing the idea,” she said. 

She cited during her tenure as Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister, how she would go down to the ground to check the price of good sand the stock, in addition to explaining what GST was all about. 

“We were transparent about GST and people learned to accept it because they understand that whatever comes around, goes around,” she said. 

“If you compare GST and SST, which is better?,” she questioned.  

She also talked about projects which have come to a standstill and about projects which the current government promised to shelf such as the Dam and Tanjung Aru Eco Development Project. 

She admitted that the previous government might have some discrepancies but the majority of things were done right. 

“I know some people in my constituency don’t like me because I tell them that they cannot simply built squatter settlements here and there, but now I see any tom dick and harry are allowed to make houses anywhere.

“Instead of taking into account security and safety issues, the current YB just allow this to happen,” she said, also citing instances where certain party members who are implicated in murder and peeping tom issues. 

“How do people have the confidence, even the sovereignty of our country is at stake, with the national flag being hanged upside down, it seems like there is no law,” she said.

She said there are matters which the government should be strict on instead of choosing to be lenient, adding that this is the weaknesses of the government. 

She also cited the use of pump boats, resulting in goods being smuggled to neighbouring countries, the presence of beggars and street children, and the rising unemployment rate among local youths. 

“Is this what we call Sabah Ubah and Malaysia Baru? It appears like we are returning to the law of the jungle, instead of moving forward, we seem to be going backwards,” she said. 

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