MANY Sabahans are still uneasy with the way the Warisan-led state government is handling controversies after being 100 days in office, said civil society groups.

For them, Warisan broke its election promises and made U-turns on several issues, such as the Kaiduan Dam, Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED) project and the Sabah International Convention Centre.

A source said the new government has been sending mixed signals which are basically confusing Sabahans.

And the longer they remain confused, the more irritated they become, he said, adding that civil society groups are mounting opposition to Warisan.

“For example, the TAED project. First, they said they want to stop it during the election campaign. But now the project is being revived.

“If you issue different statements and then you leave it hanging, people will push for answers,” the source said.

He said it was the same with the Kaiduan Dam, which was scrapped on August 6 but a new dam called Papar Dam will now be built upriver, outside Penampang.

“People are still confused over the need for the dam. Some people talk about electrification, some as water catchment. If so, why do we need such a big dam for a catchment area? 

“The government must deal with sincerity. Come up with a proper study on the impact of the dam first.

“Don’t leave any grey areas or people will suspect the politicians are making money and all that. Make it simple.”

Other civil society groups have also raised matters such as Yayasan Sabah no longer providing scholarships, the post of Yayasan Sabah director remaining vacant, appointment of the new Sabah Water Department director and other heads of government-linked companies.

A civil society leader, who requested anonymity, said he could not understand why such positions were left vacant for so long.

“I heard people are being told to submit their resumes to the chief minister’s office, and people end up fighting for positions. It is not nice.

“I welcome Shafie Apdal’s view that only qualified professionals will helm the post of bosses, but if you can’t find anyone, why not just advertise,” he said, referring to the new chief minister.

The people want to see action and proposed that the state emulate the federal move by establishing the council of elders to help Shafie decide, he said. 

Social activist Michael Johnny said there were many issues civil society can raise in Sabah but many were not speaking up unlike in Peninsular Malaysia.

“I don’t think the Sabah groups are limiting themselves, but the truth is Kuala Lumpur groups are run by experts like lawyers, doctors and professionals who have dedicated their lives to social issues, neglecting their own professions.

“I’m not downgrading Sabahans but the Kuala Lumpur folk would form a group for nearly every issue. They are in tune with what they are fighting for.” – August 23, 2018.