Maximus and Kota Marudu (Sabah)

Maximus Ongkili should be the last person to speak up regarding the issue of anti-hopping. Kota Marudu(P168)- the place that he represented since 1994 is the poorest and most neglected place in Malaysia. The northern and eastern districts of Sabah really deserves more attention from the government.

Here’s why:

1. The road leading to Kota Marudu, Kudat, Pitas are full of potholes, minor land slides and locals can testified that they have not improved for the past 10 years. The properly tarred road stops at Kota Belud. Not surprising as Kota Belud are represented by UMNO and the population mainly comprises Bajau-Muslim. One can see a marked difference in the border between Kota Belud-Kota Marudu, one will come to a stretch of uneven gravel road spanning almost 50 metres. The condition of the road is simply horrendous, causing most vehicles to breakdown after frequent usage. This of course prolong the time taken for the journey from all the northern states connecting Kota Kinabalu. Without proper roads, not surprisingly no development can be seen in these areas. These roads are even worse than the trunk roads that used to connect small towns in peninsulars in the 80s.

2. Electricity - Kota Marudu residents of course are not spared from SESB’s poor quality of service. Breakdown in electricity supply occurs frequently and calls to the office mostly are useless.

3. Water supply gets cut off everytime after heavy rain. The quality of water we receive most times are murky and smelly. This can be evidently seen by just driving past any housing area. Every house will equipped themselves with water tanks and pump, pre-empting water cut which is a weekly affair if not more frequent. It’s such a common sight in Sabah.

4. A very good indicator of standard of living/ poverty will be the healthcare standards. Sabah especially the northern states, record the highest number of cases of Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Malaria in the whole of Malaysia. Maternal mortality rate is much higher compared to all other states. Most children are malnourished with very little reserves, succumbed to illness easily. A doctor from the hospital once says, cases seen at local hospital are often critically ill, making it a miracle if patient can even survive to be sent to a referral hospital in KK.

5. Unemployment rate. A tour of Kota Marudu town or any other districts in Sabah will revealed that most Sabahan youngsters are loitering around. They can be seen mostly at billiard centres - a very common sight in Sabah. No one here seems to be very inspired by the Angkasawan boasted by the Minister in Science and Technology.

6. Teenage pregnancy is alarmingly on the rise.

If there are worse places than this, it would be Pitas, Kinabatangan(Bung), Beluran(Ronald Kiandee). Without the recent political tsunami, no one will pay attention to the plight of Sabahans. All of a sudden, BN leaders from Sabah are being put in so many important positions, a real mockery of how sabahans are treated by the government.

Maximus Ongkili is actually the real betrayer of the people. What clear conscience does he have to mention that MPs from Sabah and Sarawak are cheating the people by joining Pakatan.

What has he done for the people of Kota Marudu for the past 14 years ?

Lim Kit Siang