admin
KOTA KINABALU: The Deputy Division Chief of Parti Warisan Kimanis, Tailin Mainan throw cold water to GRS’s State Assemblyman for Sindumin, Dr Yusof Yacoob’s repeated remark to relocate Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to Kimanis that he made in the State Assembly recently.
Tailin instead said that it is much better for the State Government to use its resources, funds and energy to solve the perennial floodings, miserable infrastructures and irregular electricity supply at Bongawan and Membakut than to talk about the relocation.
“Several areas in Bongawan and Membakut were repeatedly inundated with mud due to floodings this year and so far, we have yet to see any action by the GRS-led State Government on the desiltation and widening works that many believe should be done on Membakut River.
Many villagers had their belongings and crops lost or damaged due to floodings and some now think that the reason why no mitigation plan is being carried out immediately despite this issue being highlighted in the local dailies numerous times is due to a hidden, sinister agenda of purposely devaluing the price of Lands in Membakut to enable unscrupulous parties buy the same at a very low price from villagers who believe it is much better to sell it.
And it does not make any difference where the exact location of the airport will be – over time, development in both Bongawan and Membakut to cater for the needs created by the new airport will eventually happen.
Future reclamation or elevation works may cause huge problem for Kimanis folks when bad construction practices with the absence of flood mitigation or upgraded drainage system excerbate the flooding here.
10 or 15 years from now, GRS leaders who pushed for the relocation (who may don’t even live there) may not be around anymore to bear any responsibility but it will be our children who inherit our Lands that suffer.
So unless the State Government firstly comes out with a detailed future development plan for both Bongawan and Membakut and secondly to proceed with the long awaited flood mitigation projects and construction of proper monsoon drains, then we don’t see the reason why we need to support this relocation,” he stated in a statement today.
Dr Yusuf who is also the Chairman of Qhazanah Sabah Sdn. Bhd. said in the recent State Assembly meeting that relocating KKIA to Kimanis is crucial to address the congestion at the airport and now awaiting approval to commence construction.
“We are grateful that the party’s JPRN unit will make flood mitigation and upgrading/maintenance of existing drainage systems, not only in Bongawan and Membakut but other flood-prone districts as well, as a priority once the party form the State Government.
It is evident that both Dr Yusof and GRS are ignorant on the fact that hilly development at Moyog that was rampant in the 2000s compounded with bad construction practices and irresponsible drainage management causes repeated floodings in Penampang now.
So how can we be supportive to his proposal?” he concluded.
