‘Give us roads, schools, hospital’

On Pulau Sebatik off the Sabah east coast, Malaysia and Indonesia share a common border and the contrast in infrastructural development is stark.

SEBATIK ISLAND: Pulau Sebatik off the Sabah’s east coast is a shared island. A 39km long border divides the 452 sq kilometre island into a Malaysia section and a Indonesian “side”.

The distance between Pulau Sebatik and Tawau on mainland Sabah is one kilometre and reachable by a 20 minute boat ride.

The Malaysia side of Sebatik has an approximately 25,000 strong population as opposed to approximately 80,000 people in Sebatik Indonesia, and falls under the Kalabakan parliamentary constituency.

The Kalabakan parliamentary constituency is helmed by three-term MP Ghapur Salleh and Sebatik is represented by two-term assembyman Abdul Muis Picho. Both are from Umno-Barisan Nasional.

But like much of Sabah’s rural constituencies, Sebatik too is in need of infrastructural attention. It’s a stark contrast to its ‘developed’ Indonesian side.

A frequent visitor to Sebatik told FMT that the Indonesian side of Sebatik had hotels, schools and elecricity supply. A far cry from what’s available on the Malaysian side.

According to the visitor, who declined to be named, houses on the Malaysian side of the border were ‘stealing’ electricity from the ‘other side’ because their villages were without power supply.

The visitor however added that during a recent visit he noticed that some villagers near the coast were getting piped water and electricity from Tawau.

‘Urgent action’ needed
Confirming the visitor’s observation, an NGO here – Pertubuhan Pribumi Rakyat Sabah (PPRS) – said the needs in Malaysian villages in Pulau Sebatik were many.

PPRS president Mohd Jeffrey Rosman who raised the island’s concerns with FMT said Sebatik was in dire need of proper medical and healthcare services, schools, mosque, surau, community halls, clean water and electricity.

And this is not counting the community’s need for “decent” roads

Jeffrey said the condition of the roads on the island is so critical that he wants “urgent action” from Ghapur, Muis and the relevant authorities.

“Sebatik folks want decent roads where they can travel safely and conveniently like those enjoyed by others elsewhere across Sabah.

“I sincerely appeal to the two leaders to look into the road woes in their constituency,” he said adding that promises made in the past had remain just empty words.

[main photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlumenta]