Stephen Teo
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) has asked the various Federal ministries to increase development allocations for Sabah and Sarawak as the distribution of the 2022 Budget was not in line with the concept of equal partners.
STAR Vice President, Kapitan Stephen Teo said an increase in the ministry-level development allocations for the two states will be able to help improve basic facilities in various areas.
“The very little financial allocation has caused the lack of basic facilities in Sabah, including in Sepanggar area which is located within the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK)rating area,”said Stephen who is also the Head of STAR Karambunai Division.
Stephen cited the lack of basic facilities as stated by STAR President, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan who is also the Keningau Member of Parliament in the 2022 Budget debate as follows;
“Until 2020, Malaysia has gone through 11 Malaysia Plans. But the fact is, the eight poorest districts in the country are located in Sabah. Many areas, including villages about 20 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu city center still do not have treated water supply, roads are still gravel, dusty in summer, muddy in the rainy season and flash floods when it rains heavily for 3-4 hours”.
Stephen, who is also a Board Member of the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS), stressed that the reality in Sepanggar showed that water supply was still an unresolved problem.
“Even to repair the basic amenities such as village roads, recreation, business premises, jetties, and water village bridges requires more financial resources,” Stephen said.
Meanwhile, Stephen, who won the STAR Vice President post uncontested, expressed his deep appreciation to the President, party leadership, division heads and delegates for the trust placed in him.
Stephen accepted the responsibility with the determination to help the party and the state to get better financial allocation from the Federal Government for Sabah.
