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In the recent session of the Dewan Undangan Negeri, Darell Leiking, the State Assemblyman for Moyog, expressed his concern over the low rate of approvals for development projects in Penampang when the Rural Development Ministry of Sabah replied that only 6.5% of projects applied for were approved.
The State Ministry of Rural Development Sabah when asked by Darell, had confirmed that out of the 1,117 projects applied for by the Government’s District Office in 2024, only 73 projects were approved.
These approved projects totalled RM9,670,000.00, with RM5,910,000.00 funded by the State Government and RM3,760,000.00 by the Federal Government.
Darell had so put it to the Rural Ministry that he believed the 1,117 proposed projects (applied for by the Penampang District Office) would likely be important projects towards immediate repairs and ongoing concerns which are beneficial for Moyog that is currently facing multiple issues on poor infrastructures, inconsistent energy and water supplies. The perennial flooding at Moyog has also damaged many infrastructure which needs urgent repairs despite Penampang being the State’s economic hub as evidenced by the numerous residential and commercial estates, high-rise buildings, malls and light industrial businesses in the district.
The low approval rate of 6.5% is thus a matter of great concern since Penampang folks expects accelerated development in that district by the State Government to correspond the upgrading of Penampang District Council’s (MDPG) status to Penampang Town Hall (MPP) and the introduction of parking fee in several commercial areas in the district.
In view of the Fact that Darell although being the Moyog State Assemblyman DOES NOT sit in the Penampang District Development Committee, he is not has no information on what are the 1,117 projects applied for by the Penampang District Office other than to speculate the same must be important and of major concerns. During the same Question & Answer at the State Assembly sitting, Darell had requested from the Minister the list of the 1,117 projects to enable the people to understand why they were delayed or rejected. He also stated that the DUN Moyog is in dire need of allocations to rebuild or repair infrastructures such as roads and suspension bridges that were damaged due to the recent flooding on the 30th June 2024.
This disparity between the number of projects applied for and those approved underscores the urgent need for a review of the allocation process to ensure that essential projects are prioritized and swiftly executed to benefit the residents and businesses of Penampang.
He asserted that his ADUN Moyog office are consistently receiving complaints from business operators on maintenance operations by MPP, as well as grievances from property owners regarding the challenging living environment. The recent flooding in Penampang could exacerbate economic setbacks,prompting many business operators to contemplate relocating to areas with better infrastructure, safer free flood areas and good environmental management.
