ANDAKAN: Strong ties between the federal and state government will ensure sustained development for the people of Sabah, says Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.
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The MCA deputy president said the benefits of a tight bond between Putrajaya and Kota Kinabalu would trickle down to other places in Sabah, such as Elopura in Sandakan, and he added that a representative from Barisan Nasional would ensure those strong links are forged.
“The people in Elopura have their needs and we are listening. If Elopura is represented by a Barisan assemblyman, there will be a good relationship between state and federal governments and the welfare of the people here will be well looked after,” he said.
Dr Mah said that the voters here are unhappy with the current Warisan state government, as the people did not see any promises fulfilled.
“From the way they responded, I think they are unhappy for several reasons because the state government failed to deliver on their promises.
“The people here are also beginning to see the importance of federal and state governments working closely together to ensure that resources are properly managed for their benefit,” he said.
The Deputy Education Minister said this on Monday (Sept 14), while on the campaign trail in Bandar Kim Fung in Sandakan to support MCA’s candidate in Elopura, 40-year-old Chan Boon Thian.
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He said locals have responded well to the campaign so far, signalling a chance for Barisan to win the seat.
Chan echoed Mah’s views, saying the tighter ties with the federal government would be beneficial to people in Elopura, as a mismatch between state and federal governments could create problems in the administration and allocation of funds for development.
“The biggest problem the people face here is the decline of the economy. We hope that the Sabah government will be in line with the federal government to ensure that we have better days for the people in Elopura.
“Of course, if the state is in line with the federal government, I am sure it will support us greatly,” he added.
Chan is known locally as the chairman of the Sandakan Health Clinic advisory panel, and is also the Sandakan MCA division deputy secretary and a Sabah MCA committee member.
Chan is facing five other opponents in the battle for the Elopura state seat, including its incumbent Chong Ket Kiun (Warisan-DAP).
Other candidates vying for the seat are Voo Min Gin (Parti Cinta Sabah), Chong Thien Ming (LDP), Siti Khairiah Sheikh Mohammad (Usno) and Mohamad Saini Ahmad Tang (Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah). -The Star