Kiulu and rural areas need more affordable homes: Bangkuai
Published on: Thursday, June 20, 2013
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Kota Kinabalu: More houses under the Hardcore Poor People Housing Project (PPRT) as well as affordable homes should be built in Kiulu and rural areas elsewhere in Sabah.
Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai believed there were many people in his constituency and other rural areas with the purchasing power to buy their own homes.
"But they have no choice but to continue staying with their parents because the affordable home projects are not implemented in their area.
"I hope the relevant agency will look into the matter and implement the affordable home projects not just in the urban but in rural areas as well," he said in his maiden speech at the State Assembly on Wednesday.
Debating the State Government's policy speech, Bangkuai said there was also a need for the government to implement more PPRT programmes in Kiulu since many of the houses of the people were in a bad shape.
Bangkuai also proposed that the State Government provide each village house with a fire extinguisher as a precautionary measure in the event of fire outbreaks.
Over the last two months, there were three fire outbreaks in Kiulu, destroying villagers' homes, he said.
He said the cost of a fire extinguisher was about RM160, which was much cheaper than rebuilding a house destroyed by fire which could cost RM50,000 to RM100,000.
"It is clear that there is also a need for a fire and rescue station to be built in the area in facing a fire outbreak or any other untoward incident," he said.
Bangkuai also urged the State government to consider replacing or upgrading 72 suspension bridges in several villages in the Kiulu constituency as they were old and posed a danger to the villagers.
He said the area's level of security should also be improved by setting up a police beat base in the bigger villages from Tamparuli to Mantub like Kampung Malangang and Kampung Pukak, and the Kiulu police station be provided with patrol cars.
"The Kiulu dispensary should also be upgraded for the residents to enjoy prompt and better medical care."
The Kiulu Native Court, which had been operating from an old community hall, was in need of a better premises as it played a big role in the lives of the local community.
Bangkuai also suggested a training institution specifically for grassroots leaders such as the village security and development committee (JKKK) chairmen in order for them to be more efficient in the administration of the rural development.
Among the skills that could be given to the community leaders included the management of records, proper paperwork for project applications and better Information and Communication Technology (ICT) knowledge.
"The institute could also be relied on to clarify sensitive issues that may affect the harmony and unity of the people," he said.
Bangkuai also said that better infrastructures and more allocation were needed to capitalise on Kiulu's tourism potential and developed the agriculture industry.
Most of the villages are already connected with roads, but then most of the120km are only gravelled roads while another 173km of roads are red soil (earthen), meaning it would be unusable in bad weather.
"My constituency is 250-square miles in size, almost the size of Singapore, if not bigger, and we need all-weather roads, or else tourists will find it difficult to come over," he said.
Bangkuai expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on his recent announcement that the second highway from Kota Kinabalu to Ranau would pass through Kiulu.
"This new highway will definitely expedite economic development in the constituency, besides serving as an alternative road should there be landslides in the existing Tamparuli-Ranau road."
He also urged relevant authorities in the constituency to be given grants in improving its conservation efforts to ensure the pristine Tuaran river is able to provide clean water for the people in Kiulu as well as those in Kota Kinabalu.
The Tuaran river, which flows through Kiulu, also serves as a popular water rafting area for adventure lovers.
