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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has launched the 4th economic corridor in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
It was also telecasted to Keningau and Lahad Datu where the event attracted more than 2000 people invited to witness the launching. The Prime Minister promised that SDC will fully eradicate poverty in Sabah by 2025. He also promised that no race or group would be left out of mainstream development. The SDC is supposed to provide job opportunities to 900000 people, thus reducing the unemployment rate to 3.5% in 2025 from 5.8% in 2006. The launching of this mega project has already caused a dent in the State coffer. So much money spent for just launching and how about the lost of man-hours for the more than 2000 people who came to witness the event? It would be nice to know from the government how much was actually spent on this launching exercise. When BN came to power in 1994 they have promised to eradicate poverty in 100 days. They have also promised to solve the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah and that every Sabahans will have a house within 100 days of their coming to power. This is the famous BN and UMNO 100-day promise to Sabahans. After 15 years in power, many Sabahans are still homeless, about 32000 are in abject poverty and the illegal immigrant problem is becoming more serious. There was another mega project launched sometimes ago called BIMP-EAGA. There was so much publicity and fun fare. The blueprint was considered flawless and promise to address and accelerate the economic growth in this region. What happen to BIMP-EAGA? The 12th General election is around the corner. The timing of launching this so-called mega project is therefore questionable. The government must be hanging the carrots. The corridor is not unrealistic but can and will Sabahans be fooled again with empty promises? Dr. Edwin Bosi Sabah Keadilan Information Chief
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