'Sabah More Important Than 2nd Space Mission'

Tuaran MP Datuk Wilfred M. Bumburing urged the Government to suspend - if not stop altogether - its angkasawan programme as sending man into outer space will not bring any immediate benefit to Malaysia in general.

Bumburing who is United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) Deputy President said, instead, the Government should utilise the money in developing Sabah.

Speaking at a meet-the-people session here attended by some 500 party members and supporters, he said the money should be used to develop Sabah as a food producing state.

"There is no point spending millions of ringgit to send man into space when we are still totally depending on rice imports to feed our citizens.

"Currently the world is facing a food crisis where several third world countries are facing severe food shortages. Sabah is only producing slightly above 35 per cent of its rice requirement and should the percentage dip below this, our rice and food situation in Sabah would be considered to be at a disastrous level. "By right, Sabah and Sarawak should be able to produce its own rice if everyone is committed into embarking on rice cultivation with government assistance," he said.

Bumburing said when he was a member of the State Cabinet (1999-2000), a proposal was made to identify 20,000 hectares to be developed for rice cultivation. The proposal was followed up by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, then under Datuk Lajim Hj Ukin and he remembered being told that an area had been identified.

"But until now, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry seems to be still in the process of identifying those areas. I suggest that if those suitable areas are under forest reserve, the Government can turn other hilly and untenable state land into forest reserve and release this suitable land to be developed for rice cultivation."

The session was part of Bumburing's roadshow around the various polling centres throughout the Tuaran Parliamentary constituency. "I call upon all Upko members to work harder to strengthen the party and to consolidate its membership. The recent election showed that the opposition candidates managed to obtain some votes even in areas where the said opposition candidates didn't even go and campaign. "This is something that every branch and divisional leaders must analyse and rectify," he said.

The MP assured that he would strive to get the Federal Government to build two bridges crossing the Tuaran river, one connecting Tuaran Town with Sungai Damit and the other connecting Kiulu Town with the surrounding villages across the Tuaran river. (Daily Express, Sabah)

***** Unfortunately for Sabah its rice production has less propaganda value for Umno than sending a 'heroic' Malay to angkasa lepas. Not that the earlier trip helped them in the last elections.