KOTA Belud Member of Parliament, Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, has urged the Federal Drainage and Irrigation Department to stop delaying the Abai River mouth deepening project.
“As I have repeatedly said in this assembly, the Abai River mouth needs to be deepened urgently,” she said when debating the motion of thanks for the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat.
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“Without the deepening, not only will flooding and water pooling issues persist, but the fishing industry in Kota Belud will also die.
“Floods will trouble everyone, not just victims but also the government itself, especially at the district level,” she said.
She said after repeatedly speaking about this in Parliament, sending letters and attending many meetings, she was finally informed early this year by the Department in Kota Belud that deepening the Abai River mouth is the number one priority at the State level.
“So, I beg, please help us in Kota Belud. Please do not delay anymore,” she said.
She also requested wave breakers for Mantanani and Kampung Pantai Emas in Kota Belud.
Additionally, she said the government must bear all additional costs for the Kampung Piasau irrigation project that has prevented farmers from planting for six seasons in Kota Belud.
“Farmers were promised they could plant when the project was built but the opposite happened.
“It is now six seasons, farmers cannot plant because of the irrigation project built for another area but passing through the paddy fields,” she said.
She said she wrote to the minister on July 22, 2024, requesting a review of the project that affects farmers in that area.
She has also met with the Agriculture and Food Security Integrated Development Area, the Drainage, and Irrigation Departments both at the district and state levels, numerous times.
“Farmers and contractors are now asking who will bear the additional costs for the paddy fields that have become jungle while farmers keep hearing when they can start planting,” she said.
“You (Federal Government) started it, so you complete it. Do not trouble people,” she said.
She also wants the government to bear the cost of reopening the paddy fields, expressing sympathy for the farmers.
“When you want to increase the nation’s paddy production, I also want the government to bear the cost of reopening the paddy fields. I pity those farmers,” she said.
She voiced her frustration at perceived inaction on issues she has repeatedly raised in Parliament.
“I will always debate every time given the opportunity, but at one point, I think, what is the use of debating if all views, especially the needs of the people that we voice, are not even heard.
“There are issues that I speak about four or five times about the same thing and until now there is no action, which is disappointing. For years, speaking about the same thing, but it has not been resolved, so now I do not know what do I have to do to get it done.
“Do I need to change my character from someone who speaks frankly in Parliament to a sycophant? What I am trying to convey is, take note. Take note.
“Do not just open space for debate to fulfil parliamentary proceedings,” she said.
She said positive macroeconomic figures must be translated with current reality on the ground, particularly in bridging the gap between regions.
“Today’s national economic figures are positive and I congratulate the government, private sector and citizens who each play a very important role in this.
“Although these macroeconomic figures are positive, they must be translated with the current reality below,” she said.
She said the gap between regions in terms of basic development needs and employment opportunities in Malaysia needs to be bridged immediately.
“Inflation and hardcore poverty figures are seen to be decreasing, but what is happening in Sabah, the figures seem not to reflect the reality that is happening,” she said.
