Kota Kinabalu, 14 April 2021
The people of Kota Kinabalu will soon enjoy the use of the long awaited Skybridge when it is completed by end of this year. This is because of the proactive style of SAPP in bringing the Skybridge matter to the attention of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chief Minister.
On 30 September 2020, the day after the swearing of the GRS Chief Minister, SAPP went to meet KK mayor for briefing of the KK skybridge issue. SAPP was informed that there are some technical issues that need to be addressed and that RM4.7 million is needed complete the Skybridge.
After the briefing, SAPP reported and proposed a solution to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor to resolve the issue. Thankfully, CM was helpful and agreeable to SAPP’s proposal. On 4 February 2021, CM announced that the Sabah government has approved RM4.7million to complete the skybridge project.
The technical issues were relatively straightforward and one may wonder why the previous government couldn’t resolve this issue.
Democratic Action Party (DAP), which had a senior leaders like KK member of parliament Chan Foong Hin, held power in the Warisan-led state government, and a very powerful Federal Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, failed to come up with a meagre RM4.7million to complete the skybridge project.
Oddly, two months after the new government was formed, KK MP Chan wanted the new government to solve the sky bridge problem.
Why was the former Warisan/DAP state and federal governments not able to come up with the RM4.7million to complete the project?
The assemblywoman for Api-Api constituency, in which the skybridge is located also did not bother to solve the problem. At least two China tourists were killed while trying to cross the road.
At the end of the day, what people want to see is the result. SAPP is confident that the KK skybridge can be completed soon and benefits the public soonest possible.
Yong Yit Jee
Supreme Councillor of SAPP cum lawyer