Chan, the Sri Tanjong assemblyman, said in a statement today that Sabah was getting the least share of the Chinese infrastructure and real estate investments.
“Most of the One Belt, One Road flagship projects are located in Peninsular Malaysia.
“This is a manifestation of imbalanced regional development across the South China Sea,” Chan said.
He said during Prime Minister Najib Razak’s five-day visit to China last May, nine business-to-business memoranda of understanding were signed for various sectors, including construction, agriculture, financial markets, infrastructure and investment cooperation worth RM31.26 billion.
“Only a cooperation agreement related to Sabah was signed, to develop ‘The Shore’ (waterfront residential and commercial project) worth RM572.96 million,” he said.
“This development is just 1.6% of the total RM31.26 billion worth of MoUs signed.
“What has happened to Sabah, the equal partner in the formation of Malaysia, yet it misses out in the Obor initiative?”
Chan said under China’s Obor initiative, Sabah should have had a golden opportunity to uplift its infrastructure to attract greater foreign investments and boost its sluggish economy.
“I hope the state government can double their efforts in this regard,” he said.
Separately, Chan urged the Sabah Immigration Department to put off plans to crack down on illegal workers until the Rehiring and Placement Programme ends next month.
“The Sabah government’s initiative implemented by the Sabah Immigration Department to legalise illegal foreign workers from Indonesia and the Philippines has been praised by employers needing workers in the state,” he said.
“The grace period runs from Feb 15 to Aug 15, and is applicable to those aged 18 to 54 with a valid passport but who have overstayed in Sabah, and those with expired work pass documents, with no criminal records and who are in good health.
“How come our Immigration Department is carrying out enforcement together with the end of the E-card programme early this month in Peninsular Malaysia?
“The Sabah initiative is not the same as that for West Malaysia.”
According to Chan, any stern action taken during the grace period for Sabah would only defeat the purpose of the Rehiring and Placement Programme, which was to give an opportunity to employers to obtain permits for their illegal workers.
“However, the employers should also assist to legalise their illegal workers during this six-month grace period that will end soon,” he said.