KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee blames caretaker Industrial Development Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe for the vandalism that has occurred at the Sabah Trade Centre (STC) in Likas.
He said the once-functional trade facility now requires at least RM8 million in repairs after it was left abandoned and subjected to vandalism.
He claimed the building, which was opened on Feb 17, 1997 during his tenure as Chief Minister, was in good working condition before Phoong took office in early 2023.
“The Sabah Trade Centre was designed as a low-maintenance, purpose-built facility to promote local enterprise and served as Sabah’s first dedicated trade centre.
“Hardly two months after the Minister, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, took office in early 2023, his Ministry and team closed down the Centre.
“The Ministry then failed to look after the property. As a result, the property has since been vandalised.
“It is heart-breaking to see the damage. This ugly political interference is negligence of the highest order,” said Yong who was also ex-Likas assemblyman in a statement, Friday.
However, he did not say whether he was aware of the matter while still in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition as a Nominated Assemblyman or found out only after leaving the ruling coalition shortly before the State election.
Meanwhile, Yong also took aim at Phoong’s decision to contest in Likas after previously serving as Luyang Assemblyman. Phoong faces a six-cornered fight in Likas in the Nov. 29 Sabah election, including against Yong’s son.
“It is a laughable contradiction that he now comes to Likas claiming he wants to work for the ‘Likas Bahagia’ agenda. His only work as Minister was to inflict damage on a key government asset in Likas,” he said.
Yong urged Phoong to explain the reasons behind the closure and to apologise to the people of Likas for denying them the use of an important public facility.
“There is nothing ‘Bahagia’ about seeing this proud icon of Likas rot,” he said, adding that Phoong had previously “destroyed Wisma Kosan” and warning against allowing similar mismanagement at the Sabah Trade Centre.
He stressed that the people of Likas deserved answers and accountability.
