KOTA KINABALU: The Minister of Community Development and People’s Well-being (KPMKR), Datuk James Ratib insisted that the issue of water supply disruption at Likas Women’s and Children’s Hospital had already been dealt with before it went viral on social media.
“As the KPMKR Minister and Sabah State Health EXCO, I was called upon to make an explanation about the facts spread by certain parties which I described as only gaining political popularity without conducting any questionnaires.
“A letter regarding the water supply disruption issue at Likas Women’s and Children’s Hospital dated 23 June 2023 has gone viral on Facebook social media using the Buletin Warisan account,” he said.
According to James, the transmission of the letter aroused various negative perceptions of many parties towards the GRS government and threw baseless accusations.
“It deliberately wants to show the leadership of the GRS Government under the administration of the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as if it has not taken any action to resolve the issues at hand.
“That action is unprofessional and they should continue to meet with my ministry or the relevant ministry to get further clarification,” he said.
At the same time, James insisted that the leadership of the GRS Government never sat idly by and let the issue of water supply disruption in Sabah continue to grow more serious.
“I have already taken action on the water supply disruption issue at Likas Women’s and Children’s Hospital immediately after I received a letter from the Hospital Director.
“At the same time, I realized that the issue of water supply disruption does not only happen in the hospital in question but also in other hospitals in the state of Sabah.
“I will not sit idly by if any health facility in the state experiences any special problem involving the main priorities like water and electricity,” he said.
James who is also the Sugut Assemblyman said this while making a special visit to the Likas Women’s and Children’s Hospital Water Plant on Tuesday afternoon.
As one of the members of the Sabah State Cabinet, he added, he personally saw Hajiji’s determination to find an effective solution to the current water supply disruption issue in Sabah.
Therefore, James suggested that a Special Committee be established to facilitate the identification of issues or problems that occur, especially water, electricity and other problems that arise from time to time, so that immediate and more effective action can be taken.
“With that, I once again remind any party that likes to point fingers and heat up issues on social media, to stop such acts.
“In fact, I welcome any ideas and efforts to help drive the development of the people and the state of Sabah,” he explained.