Kota Kinabalu: The State Government must move away from the recurring cycle of budgets and unresolved public issues, Luyang Assemblyman Samuel Wong Tshun Chuen said.
He said despite annual allocations worth billions of ringgit, many basic services remain inadequate, with residents still facing infrastructure and utility challenges.
“Road conditions remain poor, water supply is unstable, electricity disruptions are frequent, and street lighting in many areas is either dim or non-functional,” he said.
Wong said the persistent gap between expenditure and service delivery on the ground must be addressed, warning that continued shortcomings would undermine public confidence.
He highlighted several local issues in Luyang, including malfunctioning street lights in areas such as Taman Fortuna, Lido and Foh Sang, as well as unsafe road conditions during rainy weather.
He said prolonged water disruptions in residential areas including Kepayan Ridge Flats and Luyang Phase 11 have affected households for months, while similar issues have also impacted commercial premises.
Wong also raised concerns over frequent electricity interruptions, poor drainage maintenance and stagnant water in several neighbourhoods, which he said have contributed to mosquito breeding and dengue cases.
He pointed to safety risks at pedestrian walkways in Foh Sang shoplots, where uneven surfaces have led to multiple fall incidents, particularly among elderly residents.
On the economy, Wong said Sabah continues to face high food prices and heavy reliance on imports for essential goods and inputs such as fertiliser and animal feed.
He said structural weaknesses in the supply chain — from production to distribution — must be addressed to reduce costs and improve food security.
Wong also questioned the progress of a previously introduced long-term agricultural blueprint, saying Sabah’s agricultural potential remains underutilised despite its vast land resources.
He stressed the need to strengthen local production, reduce import dependence and develop stronger Sabah-based brands capable of competing in wider markets.
On youth development, Wong said many young Sabahans are leaving the state due to limited career opportunities and long-term economic uncertainty.
He said the government must prioritise quality job creation through downstream industries, manufacturing, digital sectors and creative industries, while also strengthening support for youth entrepreneurship.
Wong added that rising living costs continue to affect even employed youths, limiting their ability to establish stable futures in Sabah.
On tourism, he said Sabah has strong natural attractions but lacks diversified tourism products and new destinations, resulting in shorter visitor stays.
He proposed the development of new tourism segments such as food festivals, agro-tourism, sports tourism, cultural events and e-sports, while positioning Sabah as a regional events hub.
However, he said weak enforcement against illegal tour operators and poor urban cleanliness continue to affect the sector’s growth and image.
Wong also said the state healthcare system is under significant pressure, citing shortages of medical personnel, ageing equipment and overcrowding in public hospitals.
He highlighted Queen Elizabeth Hospital 1 as being particularly strained, alongside similar conditions in public clinics where patients face long waiting times and limited facilities.
He said reduced incentives for medical staff have worsened recruitment and retention, urging the introduction of more competitive schemes to attract and retain healthcare workers.
On Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement, Wong said the issue has been delayed for too long and called for a clear implementation timeline and greater transparency.
He also urged that the matter be formally tabled in the assembly for proper debate and resolution.
Wong said Sabah’s challenges are not due to a lack of resources, but a lack of long-term planning and execution.
“The people only want basic services to function properly, but beyond that, they also want a better future,” he said.
