KOTA KINABALU: PERIKATAN NASIONAL (PN) candidate for DUN Karambunai, Datuk Dr Aliakbar Gulasan, said leaders must not only think about votes but must ensure that the rights of the people are fulfilled especially basic needs such as clean water and electricity.
“What is happening now, water in this village, the matter of water and human beings cannot be separated. We drink, we eat, we cook, we bathe, we have children, we care for the elderly, all with water.
“For decades, I was informed that the villagers here, already in their third or fourth generation, are still begging for water,” he said when speaking at the Jelajah Karambunai Kasi Menang programme in Kampung Salimbangun recently.
He said the situation makes it appear as though the people are “beggars in their own land”, despite being led by local leaders who speak the same language and originate from the same villages.
“I am honestly afraid to even use the word ‘promise’. It is better that we do not promise, but we simply do.
“It is better that we do not set conditions, but with Allah’s permission, it is not the criticism of humans we fear, but the criticism of Allah the Almighty.
“So if we place this as our principle in life, that when we make a vow before Allah, if we are given the responsibility as elected representatives, the very first thing we will strive to resolve are the people’s basic needs,” he said.
He added that this aligns with PN’s manifesto in this state election, under Tunjang 3: Kasi Bagus Infrastruktur Sabah, specifically the first offer under the Sabah Infrastructure Reset Plan (PRIN), which is to take immediate action to resolve inefficiencies in the management of water, roads and electricity infrastructure.
Dr Aliakbar also touched on the issue of land rights for local residents, who he said are still treated like squatters despite living in the same villages for generations.
“From the days of their ancestors until now, locals who have lived in the same villages are treated as though they are squatters on their own land.
“These lands are state land, the people elect the government, but somehow the government ends up burdening the people,” said the former Universiti Malaysia Sabah lecturer.
He also highlighted the rise of young voters in Karambunai, who are becoming more aware and no longer easily fooled by empty promises.
The former appointed assemblyman added that PN Sabah’s manifesto offers 12 main pillars, including Tunjang 7, which contains 15 specific offers for youth, and Tunjang 8, which provides significant focus on women.
Among them are the Sabah Women Professional Programme (PWS), empowerment of 10,000 women entrepreneurs, the RM500 Sabah Birth Assistance, and the Early Assistance for Nursery and Kindergarten (BATT) programme.
Dr Aliakbar further stressed his commitment to pushing for the gazetting of traditional villages including Salimbangun, Kibagu, Kuala Menggatal, Unggun, Gudon, and Tobobon to preserve the identity and rights of residents from uncontrolled development.
“We will request for these villages to be gazetted as Traditional Villages or Heritage Villages so that they are preserved and assisted in terms of infrastructure and basic facilities,” he said.
He emphasised that PN will bring a politics of solutions that benefits the people and not politics of division or insult. — HARAKAHDAILY 25/11/2025
