KOTA KINABALU: The increase in the number of state constituencies from 48 to 60 under the re-delineated election boundaries warrants a proportionate increase in the special allocation for Assemblymen.

Tambunan Assemblyman, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan said it has been mentioned that to carry out more rural development programmes, the special allocation for Assemblymen under the Ministry of Rural Development has been increased to RM13.95 million from the current RM11.95 million provided for in the 2003 State Budget.

He however said the special allocation under the 2003 Budget was for 48 state constituencies only,” he said during the debate on the State 2004 Budget at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.

“But now the number of constituency has been increased to 60 and this means the special allocation will be less for each constituency taking in to account the additional 12 new constituencies.”

“Many of these areas are located in the rural parts that still require a lot of infrastructure development,” he added.

Hence, Pairin proposed that the special allocation to the Assemblymen be increased from the proposed RM13.95 million under the 2004 Budget to RM60 million.

“This translates into RM1 million for each constituency. Surely such an amount will mobilise and increase the economy of each constituency especially the new ones,” he said.

Pairin who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president also said the party supported the state government’s Master Plan for Progress and Development in Sabah – Halatuju, which stresses on the development of agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.

He said the approach to focus on the development of agriculture and food industry was timely and in line with the National Agriculture Policy, which stresses on economic growth through increased agricultural exports.

“This approach will reduce the state’s dependence on food imports and simultaneously help increase the economic status of fishermen and farmers in the rural areas,” he said.

He said the government spent RM5 billion to import food items last year and the amount was expected to reach RM15 billion by 2010 if no strategic measures were taken.

“The output of value-added agricultural products should be the focus of the development of the food industry to increase the nation’s agricultural exports,” he said.

He also proposed that land under the purview of agencies like KPD (Rural Development Co-operative), Sabah Rubber Fund Board, SAFODA and Yayasan Sabah should be reviewed in terms suitability for agricultural development with a short gestation period.

“This would diversify the source of income to the state,” he said.

Where tourism was concerned, Pairin said the state government’s move to develop the industry was right on the mark.

“It cannot be denied that tourism has great potential and its development will further diversify the state’s income,” he added.

To facilitate tourism development here, he said more people from the rural areas should be involved because greater participation on their part would increase their knowledge on the industry.

“Being involved will also teach them how to mobilise the industry for greater mutual benefit that will free them from the grips of poverty,” he said.

Pairin also called for an increase in allocation to develop the infrastructure of attractions in the rural areas for the comfort of visitors.

He meanwhile said the relevant ministry should visit each district and hold dialogues with district officers, Assemblymen and villagers as a means of getting feedback on plans to further develop tourism in their respective areas and the state as a whole.

In a related matter, he said the government should develop a nation of citizens with sustainable income to overcome poverty.

He said there were still many people especially those in the rural areas who did not have jobs that brought in a steady income.

“As a result of this, they do not have the purchasing power causing economic activities in the rural towns to remain sluggish,” he said.

As a step to eradicate poverty, he said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry should aid farmers to market their products.