Ceasar Mandela Malakun
PENAMPANG: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Penampang Youth Chief Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun said it is truly ironic that Moyog Assemblyman Datuk Darell Leiking has suddenly become an “expert” on Penampang’s flood problems—when for nearly a decade, he failed to address these very issues as the Penampang Member of Parliament from 2013 to 2022, including his tenure as a Federal Minister from 2018 to 2020.
He said Darell now claims that poor drainage maintenance is the primary cause offlash floods and demands immediate action from the GRS-PH Plus Government.
“But let’s ask a simple question, what did he do when he was in power?
“For 10 years, the people of Penampang and Moyog entrusted him with their mandate, yet instead of focusing on real solutions, he wasted his time playing politics, making excuses and pointing fingers.
“As an MP, did he push for federalfunding to upgrade the drainage system in Penampang? No. Did he use his influence as a Federal Minister to ensure the flood mitigation plan was implemented? No. Did he fight for his constituents when he actually had power? Clearly not.
“Now that he is no longer in Parliament, he suddenly pretends to care—but where was this urgency when he actually had the authority to act?” he said in a statement today.
Mandela said if Parti Warisan is truly committed to the people, why hasn’t Darell lobbied for Federal funding through his own party’s ministerial connections?
“Instead of taking real action, he continues to write press statements blaming others while neglecting his own duties as ADUN for Moyog.
“Unlike Darell, current Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick has been tirelessly working to fix the problems left behind by years of Warisan’s failure. Since taking office, Ewon has actively engaged with the relevant authorities to push for real flood mitigation solutions—something Leiking failed to do during his 10-year tenure as MP for Penampang.”
Mandela said the GRS-PH Plus Government remains focused on delivering results, not indulging in endless blame games like Darell.
“Flood mitigation requires long-term planning, real effort, and responsible leadership, not political theatrics for media attention.
“Instead of attacking those who are actually working, Darell should take responsibility for his failures and ask himself why, after all these years, the same problems remain unsolved under his watch—because he failed to act when it mattered most.”
Mandela said the people of Penampang and Moyog deserve better than a leader who only shows up during election season to point fingers.
“If Darell cannot even fulfill his responsibilities as ADUN for Moyog, perhaps it is time for him to step aside and let real leaders take charge—leaders who work, not just talk.”
