KOTA KINABALU: A delegation from the Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (SABAR) today held a high-level briefing with the Deputy Chief Minister I and Minister of Works and Utilities, YB Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Joachim Gunsalam, to present the “Voices to Action” Public Infrastructure Report and its associated recommendations.
The report is the culmination of a year-long, citizen-driven initiative that engaged thousands of Sabahans across the state. It outlines 117 actionable recommendations designed to address critical gaps in Sabah’s basic enablers, specifically focusing on road connectivity, sustainable water management, and the urgent need for a robust “maintenance culture” within public works.
During the session, SABAR Chairman Datuk Zainie Abdul Aucasa emphasized that the report reflects a bottom-up approach to governance. “Our findings indicate that Sabahans are calling for evidence-based interventions and greater transparency in project planning. We are moving beyond slogans; we are providing the Ministry with a professional roadmap derived from the lived experiences of rural and urban communities alike,” said Datuk Zainie.
Key highlights of the briefing included:
• Rural Connectivity: Strategies to improve 4×4 access for teachers and healthcare workers in interior regions.
• Water Security: Recommendations for mitigating illegal tapping and upgrading aging distribution networks.
• Transparency: A call for open consultative planning for major projects, including future phases of the Pan Borneo Highway.
In response, YB Dr. Joachim Gunsalam welcomed the report, noting that the Ministry is committed to incorporating professional and civil society feedback into the state’s 2026 developmental agenda. The Ministry and SABAR have agreed to maintain a consultative channel to monitor the implementation of these citizen-led recommendations. – pr/BNN
