Kota Kinabalu: Nabawan Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohamed Yassin has called on the Government to give urgent attention to a range of basic issues, particularly those affecting the needs of people in interior areas such as Nabawan.
“If we truly listen to the pulse of the people outside the august House, we will realise that there are still many fundamental matters requiring immediate attention – not tomorrow, not the day after, but today,” he said when debating the policy speech at State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here Monday.
Abdul Ghani expressed appreciation for the policy address delivered by Head of State Tun Musa Aman, which he said outlined a clear direction and instilled confidence to continue serving with greater integrity.
He also congratulated the State Government on the launch of the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) development plan for the 2026 to 2030 period.
On land ownership issues, Abdul Ghani said many residents in Nabawan have been cultivating land for decades but have yet to receive legal titles. “They live in uncertainty, fearing eviction and worrying about their children’s future. The question is, how long are we going to let them wait?” he said.
He therefore urged that the processes of land surveying, verification and issuance of titles be expedited in a comprehensive and equitable manner.
At the same time, he raised concerns over some residents in the Nabawan Land Scheme failing to receive agricultural assistance or subsidies, with some reportedly discontinued without explanation.
Touching on infrastructure, he said problems such as poor drainage systems, shallow rivers and soil erosion continue to recur during the monsoon season.
He noted that such conditions result in flooding in villages, disrupted road access and adverse impacts on the livelihoods of residents.
“This is not a new issue; it is a recurring one. Therefore, I call for dredging, cleaning and straightening of rivers, as well as upgrading of drainage systems, to be carried out comprehensively and on a scheduled basis,” he said.
He also urged that roads cut off due to erosion and landslides be repaired immediately by the relevant authorities, including concessionaires.
Meanwhile, Abdul Ghani stressed the urgent need to upgrade basic rural infrastructure, including roads, clean water supply and electricity.
He said many agricultural roads and former logging tracks in Nabawan remain the main routes for residents but have yet to be upgraded.
“My question is, when will these roads be upgraded, and what is the status of the gazettement of roads within forest reserve areas in Nabawan?” he asked.
He also proposed that the Government intensify the implementation of alternative supply projects such as solar energy in remote areas, as well as expand clean water systems through gravity-fed schemes and tube wells.
In the agricultural sector, he emphasised the importance of food security, with a focus on paddy cultivation and downstream development.
“We can no longer rely solely on raw produce. It is time to strengthen the agricultural value chain through downstream programmes,” he said.
He further proposed that the Government enhance support for agricultural agencies and encourage collaboration with government-linked companies (GLCs) to ensure more structured and well-managed project implementation.
On human capital development, he said Interior areas still face major challenges in accessing quality education, skills training and digital exposure.
He noted that the urban-rural divide has left many youths without opportunities to acquire Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) skills and modern technological know-how, thereby affecting their employment prospects.
“Many are trapped in low-income jobs or migrate to urban areas, resulting in a shortage of young manpower to drive local development,” he said, adding local entrepreneurial potential remains underutilised due to limited capital, lack of guidance and weak digital infrastructure.
As such, he called for a comprehensive effort to enhance skills development, expand entrepreneurial support and elevate the local economy to a more sustainable level.
