Kota Kinabalu: THE Opposition is not the enemy of the Government but the guardian of the people’s interests, said Chin Tek Ming (Warisan - Kapayan).
“When the Government fails, delays, or attempts to ignore Sabah’s rights, we will rise, oppose and speak out firmly,” Chin said in his maiden speech during the 2026 Sabah Budget debate.
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He called on the Government not to pretend that everything was running smoothly, saying the people of Kapayan were facing real and pressing problems, including the rising cost of living, a shortage of secondary schools, unresolved drainage and flood mitigation issues and slow repairs to basic infrastructure.
Small businesses are struggling to grow, safety and bullying issues are worrying parents, employment opportunities remain limited and certain communities do not receive fair attention, he added.
On Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement, Chin stressed that the matter was not political but a constitutional right under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Sabah can no longer be told to ‘be patient’. We have been patient for six decades. I want this State Government to show real courage, not merely issue press statements,” he said.
Chin said Kapayan is a diverse constituency, yet on the ground there are troubling realities, where some areas receive immediate attention while others wait for years.
“The Government must act fairly. State resources do not belong to any political party. They belong to the people,” he said.
He said young people in Kapayan have great potential, but opportunities do not match their capabilities.
As such, the constituency needs skills training centres, digital economy programmes, youth entrepreneurship grants, industrial training with local companies, affordable housing for the younger generation and community-based youth programmes rather than one-off events.
Chin also said child safety is a serious issue, calling for firm anti-bullying mechanisms, immediate action on reported incidents, greater involvement of parents and the community, improved school facilities and counselling support for at-risk students.
He also urged greater attention to the welfare of senior citizens, saying both existing infrastructure and future developments must take into account their comfort and safety.
The people, he said, are tired of leakages, wastage and abandoned projects.
