Kota Kinabalu: Longstanding problems involving water supply, roads, electricity and flood mitigation in Gum-Gum must finally be resolved through concrete action under Sabah’s Budget 2026, said the Warisan Assemblyman for the constituency.
Debating the 2026 Sabah Budget, Arunarnsin Taib said many basic issues in Gum-Gum had persisted for years despite repeated appeals, directly affecting residents’ daily lives.
“These are not new issues. They have been raised time and again, yet many communities are still waiting for solutions,” he said.
While welcoming the State Government’s efforts to strengthen Sabah’s fiscal position and prioritise development, Arunarnsin stressed that approved allocations must be implemented transparently and effectively to ensure real benefits reached the people.
“Every sen spent must translate into tangible improvements on the ground. Strong governance and accountability are key to maintaining public confidence,” he said.
He said unresolved problems in Gum-Gum included disruptions to water and electricity supply, poor road conditions, weak internet connectivity, flood-prone areas, unresolved land matters, malfunctioning streetlights and the lack of regular road maintenance.
Arunarnsin went on to detail village-specific concerns, including the absence of clean water and jetties in Kampung Semawang, recurring floods and the need for river expansion in Kampung Sungai Memaniang and Kampung Sungai Kapor, as well as damaged roads and poor maintenance in Jaya Bakti and Kampung Ulu Dusun.
He also highlighted unresolved issues in Kampung Sungai Monyet, Batu 16 Gum-Gum and several coastal settlements, including collapsed bridges yet to be rebuilt, incomplete public facilities, inadequate jetties and persistent streetlight failures.
“These are the real challenges faced by the people every day. What they need are solutions, not promises on paper,” he said.
Arunarnsin urged the State Government to focus on empowering the local economy, creating job opportunities and providing sustained support for local entrepreneurs so that economic growth could be enjoyed more inclusively across Sabah.
He expressed support for the Budget 2026 proposal, expressing hope that it would be implemented prudently and with integrity, while remaining firmly centred on the welfare of Sabahans.
