Fix water, roads and power before chasing surpluses, says Jaujan
by Mariah Doksil · Borneo Post OnlineKOTA KINABALU (Dec 15): Sulabayan assemblyman Datuk Jaujan Sambakong (Warisan) has questioned the Sabah government’s continued emphasis on recording budget surpluses, saying the focus should instead be on resolving long-standing deficiencies in basic infrastructure.
Speaking during the debate on the Sabah 2026 Budget at the State Legislative Assembly here on Monday, Jaujan said it was difficult to justify persistent surpluses when essential public services remained inadequate in many parts of the state.
He said the government should not be averse to posting a controlled deficit if it would allow for meaningful solutions to the long-standing “Tiga Serangkai” issues namely water supply, road connectivity and electricity.
“These problems are still being faced by many rural and island constituencies, including Sulabayan in Semporna,” he said.
Touching on tourism, Jaujan highlighted the contradiction between Semporna’s international reputation as a premier island destination and the ongoing cleanliness issues plaguing the district.
“Semporna is recognised globally as one of the best tourism destinations, yet it continues to struggle with rubbish and waste management,” he said.
He noted that the issue was not confined to Semporna alone, pointing out similar waste-related challenges in Sandakan, Kudat and Pulau Gaya in Kota Kinabalu.
However, Jaujan said Semporna often bore the brunt of public scrutiny due to its popularity, receiving between 2,000 and 3,000 foreign tourists daily, particularly from China.
He warned that poor waste management could have broader implications, potentially affecting Sabah’s image and Malaysia’s tourism ambitions, especially ahead of the Visit Sabah Year 2027 campaign.
While welcoming the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Enactment 2022, Jaujan questioned the pace of its implementation on the ground.
He said local authorities required clearer mechanisms, including the development of modern waste processing facilities, rather than continued reliance on landfill disposal.
Jaujan also proposed the adoption of economic-based waste management approaches, such as recycling banks, which he said had proven effective in neighbouring Indonesia by turning waste into income-generating resources.
On marine pollution, he stressed that waste management at sea required distinct strategies compared to land-based operations.
He recalled introducing the use of marine skimmers to collect floating waste during his tenure as a local government minister, describing the initiative as effective and calling for its revival.