KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Bajau Sama Association (PBSS) denies that the Bajau Sama Cultural Centre is a white elephant project, simply because it has not been completed.
According to its Secretary General, Mohd Kassim Razali, the project’s consultant reports that the progress of the construction is currently at 93 percent and is not yet able to be completed due to some technical issues.
“I hope the relevant authorities, consultant and contractor will be able to handle the technical issues concerning the completion of the building quickly because the association is very anxious to start utilising the building.
“As for labelling it a white elephant project, we see no basis for it simply because it has not been completed yet and has not been handed over officially to the association by the government – what is the motive of individuals highlighting this issue?”
“We hope this small issue will not be politicised or blown out of proportion and the association is more than happy and ever ready to assist the relevant authorities, consultant and contractor to expedite the completion of the building.”
Kassim said this in a statement in response to an article published by Daily Express on Wednesday, May 27, labelling the building a white elephant.
According to Kassim, among the many plans the association has for the building includes building traditional Bajau Sama Nelayan and Bajau Sama Petani houses to showcase their lifestyle, traditions and handicrafts.
“We also want to plant trees and herbs traditionally used by the Bajau Samas for medicinal purposes and to have a Bajau Sama horse riding area, complete with the horses being dressed up in traditional Bajau Sama horse gear for people to experience our culture.
“We hope that the relevant authorities, consultant and contractor can get to the bottom of this issue and we are always ready to help in any way we can,” Kassim added.-pr/BNN
