Eye on Sabah's progress amid poor utility service
In raising this concern, he pointed out that Sabah has generated timber revenue amounting to RM5.3bil since 1999, averaging RM213mil annually.
However, many residents of Sabah still lack reliable access to essential services.
'From Libaran to Likas, from Tawau to Tuaran, the people are asking a simple question: where has all of Sabah's wealth gone?' he said in a statement yesterday.
He observed that these issues are no longer confined to rural communities; even in the heart of the state capital, Kota Kinabalu, power and water disruptions have become a common occurrence.
'Water tanks are no longer optional; they are a necessity. Electricity generators, once reserved for factories, are now being used in regular homes. This is the daily reality faced by ordinary Sabahans,' he added.
Suhaimi highlighted the deteriorating condition of the road infrastructure, noting that many roads are riddled with potholes and pose safety hazards.
He noted that numerous rural areas in Libaran are still waiting for basic development.
He emphasised that the state government should prioritise this responsibility.
'While we continue to hear announcements about forest certifications, carbon plans and ecological allocations, people are still lighting candles, storing water and dodging potholes,' he said.
Suhaimi questioned whether the progress being celebrated is genuine, alleging that the people of Sabah have been patient for far too long.
'They are not against development. They are simply asking for their rights... the right to live comfortably with consistent and reliable basic amenities. These concerns should not be dismissed as scepticism or political rhetoric.
'If the state has earned billions, why are we still dealing with unresolved water, electricity and road issues?
'This question is not about pointing fingers; it is about demanding responsibility,' he stressed, adding that the people of Sabah deserve better.
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