KOTA KINABALU: Changing state governments is not the answer as it will only leave Sabah unstable and remain underdeveloped, says Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

       The Deputy Chief Minister said the number of changes in governments in Sabah over the last five decades has left the state lacking in the most basic infrastructure - water, electricity and roads - and has failed to draw investors to develop the state.

       "We have had 16 state elections compared to 12 elections in Sarawak (since 1963) and 14 national elections (since 1957).

       "Sabah has been busy changing governments and nothing has been done to meet the basic infrastructure needs of the people," he said on Wednesday (March 23) during his winding-up speech on debates for the policy speech by Yang DiPertua Negeri Sabah.

       "Today, if investors come they ask if we have water and electricity supply and our answer is no, they won't come. Sabah gets nothing for its people," said Bung during his winding-up speech amid growing speculations of realignments within Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) led by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.

       Bung, who is Sabah Umno chief, said though Barisan Nasional could not join another coalition, it was in full support of the GRS coalition government that it was given the mandate by the people in the September 2020 snap state elections.

       "GRS is a good platform. Though we (Barisan-Umno) are not in GRS, we fully support GRS," he said.

       "Though Sulaman (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's Sabah chairman Hajiji's state seat) and Lamag (Bung state seat) sleep on different pillows, we both have the same dream for Sabah," he told the Sabah assembly.

       Bung said that stability was key for Sabah to resolve its longstanding problems and political parties should not be overly focused on changing governments or changing leaders like in the past.

       Bung, who is the state's Works Minister, said that to holistically resolve Sabah's water problems would involve between RM5bil and RM7bil.

       "We don't have the money. Cabinet has agreed for us to use consultants to advise on plans to resolve our water supply problems," he said, adding that Sabah might have to consider privatising the water supply to meet the needs of the people.

       He said similarly Sabah roads have long been neglected and there was a need for funds to repair and rehabilitate the roads.

       "We must remain focused on meeting the needs of the people," he said in the speech that addressed various infrastructure issues raised by assemblymen about the districts.