Kota Kinabalu: Api-Api Assemblyman Loi Kok Liang backed calls for the authorities to publicly disclose full details of the BAS.MY Kota Kinabalu bus service, saying Sabahans deserve clear answers on whether they are receiving the quality of public transport they were promised.
“The Sabah Government, the Ministry of Transport, the Land Public Transport Agency and the appointed operator should publish the fleet composition, procurement specifications, accessibility provisions and a breakdown of how programme funding is being utilised under the Stage Bus Service Transformation programme,” he said.
His statement came in support of a call by Sabah civil society group Sabah Entitlement and Equity Now (Seen) for greater transparency over the implementation of BAS.MY Kota Kinabalu, after residents observed apparent differences between buses deployed in the city and those used under similar BAS.MY services elsewhere in Malaysia.
“The questions raised by Seen are legitimate and deserve clear answers. Sabahans are not asking for special treatment. They are simply asking for facts,” he said.
Loi said the issue extended beyond procurement specifications or fleet sizes, pointing in particular to accessibility for persons with disabilities.
“An inclusive public transport system cannot be inclusive only in speeches and promotional materials. Inclusiveness must be reflected in the actual vehicles being deployed on our roads.
“If some of the newly deployed buses lack accessibility features that were previously promised, then the authorities should immediately explain how the needs of persons with disability passengers will be accommodated,” he said.
He said Sabahans had grown weary of public projects that appeared to deliver less than what was originally presented to the public.
“Whether it involves roads, utilities, ports or public transportation, Sabahans are tired of being told to accept less while being expected to pay the same price,” he said.
Loi said unanswered questions eroded public confidence and called on the relevant authorities to respond openly rather than defensively.
“When public funds are involved, transparency should never be treated as an inconvenience. It should be the default position of any responsible government.
“If the programme is being implemented properly, then transparency will strengthen public confidence. If improvements are needed, then transparency will help identify and correct them. Either way, the people have a right to know,” he said.
