Intensify operations to detect fraudulent MyKad activities

Large-scale operations should be launched to detect fraudulent MyKad activities following a murder case recently that indirectly related people in Sabah with criminal activities.

Datuk Samsudin Yahya (BN-Sekong) said the murder of a bank officer in Subang Jaya last month by a security guard having a fake MyKad issued in Sabah had ruined the good name of the state.

"This matter should be taken seriously by all parties as a foreigner is not only posing as a citizen, but is entrusted to control and protect important and sensitive places such as banks, supermarkets and warehouses.

"This problem involves our lives when security and national sovereignty is exploited by criminals," he said when debating the state's 2014 Budget at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly here, today.

In regard to this, he urged the relevant departments such as the National Registration Department (NRD), the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) and the Immigration Department to intensify operations in addressing the problem.

Samsudin also expressed concern about the security level at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), especially in the course of screening passenger identification.

On the issue of firearms, Samsudin asked the police to review procedures for issuing gun licences and permits to the public to prevent abuse of firearms, including in the state.

Meanwhile, the state government intends to extend welfare payments to eligible applicants from one year to two years from January.

Sabah Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said the benefit will be implemented for each new application under the Welfare Assistance Scheme namely the Public Assistance Scheme and Orphans Aid Scheme funded by the state government.

Under the State Department of Public Welfare, she said her ministry had provided state and Federal aid amounting to more than RM223 million to 71,715 recipients so far this month.

According to her, the state government contributed RM43 million to benefit 2,348 people, while the Federal Government provided more RM180 million to 48,504 people.

In another development, Jainab welcomed a proposal by Christina Liew (PKR-Api-Api) to make the area near Wisma Wanita in Jalan Tuaran near here as a bus terminal to alleviate traffic congestion in the city centre.

In the meantime, the Sabah Ministry of Youth and Sports has completed five of the 11 projects of the Youth Development Arena and Basic Amenities Plan Round 3.

Its Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan said another five projects are expected to be completed next year.

"As of last month, the ministry has completed upgrading the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex, Kota Belud Sports Complex, the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex floodlights, the two phase hostel construction of the Ranau Sports Complex and the Penampang Sports Complex for organising the Sabah Games 2013," he said in his winding-up speech.

State Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Siringan Gubat said the ministry planned to develop five e-Desa centres next year.

"The establishment of e-Desa centres is among programmes to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas.

"So far, a total of 24 e-Desa centres have been established and are managed by a management committee from among the local population," he said.

Meanwhile, Sabah's Ministry of Rural Development will continue to prioritise the poverty eradication programme with the allocation of RM103.92 million in the State 2014 Budget.

Its Minister Datuk Radin Malleh said several programmes will be implemented next year, including the three 'Mini Estate Sejahtera (MESEJ)' namely 'Mesej Taburan' in Kota Beludm, 'Mesej Grama' in Beaufort and 'Mesej Abai' in Kinabatangan.

"The state government had started implementing the MESEJ programme in 2004, with priority given to areas stricken by poverty throughout the state. So far, there are 45 MESEJ programmes in various stages of implementation," he said.