Seven years on, where’s our electricity, MP asks Putrajaya

A Sabah MP has called for an investigation into the reported failure of a rural electricity supply project in his constituency, believed to have been abandoned since 2019, leaving thousands of residents without proper access to electricity.

Sipitang MP Matbali Musah urged the rural and regional development ministry to carry out an investigation.

He said the project, involving a hybrid solar system, had been abandoned despite being granted nine extensions of time, forcing the residents of seven villages to rely on solar lamps and generator sets, the Daily Express reported in Kota Kinabalu.

“I demand that the ministry investigate. Even though I repeatedly raised the lack of electricity supply over the years, the oral and written replies I received have failed to outline any concrete and decisive action,” he was quoted as saying.

Matbali also urged the ministry to immediately look into the long-standing lack of basic amenities in his constituency.

The lack of electricity had affected 287 households with 2,073 residents across six villages in Malamam alone, while several rural water supply projects had yet to be implemented, affecting 7,319 residents from 1,219 households across 21 villages in Sipitang, which had been without adequate access to clean water for many years.

“The ministry’s written reply dated Nov 6, 2024, stated that the projects were at the stage of appointing a lead consultant. However, implementation has yet to begin.

“We want the ministry to clarify the latest status of these water supply projects, the allocations provided, the obstacles hindering their implementation and when residents can expect to receive clean water,” he said.

FMT has sought comment from the rural and regional development ministry.