- nabalunews
BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL PROBLEM OF SFI AND UCSF, GRS GOVT TOLD
21 April 2021
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) today slammed the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) State Government over the Sabah Forest Industries (SFI) and University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) debacle.
In a statement released today, its Vice President Datuk Junz Wong said it is a shame that long-standing problems solved by the previous Warisan administration are resurfacing under GRS.
"It is a shame to see Sabah in a poorly managed condition. Long-standing issues that were solved by us (Warisan), are now resurfacing under GRS.
"Of course the problems in SFI and UCSF stemmed way back during the Barisan Nasional era. It was not an overnight issue. But when Warisan took over in 2018, those problems were solved," he said.
It was reported last week that more than 2,000 SFI workers were facing salary issues since late last year, Junz stated.
In December 2020 and January 2021, SFI workers received their salaries late, while in February and March, there has been no news yet regarding salary payment.
Yesterday, it was reported that another 146 employees of UCSF had their paychecks cut by half since September 2020.
Junz said, in both SFI and UCSF's case, former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal stepped in to resolve the issues, much to the delight of the workers.
"If you recall, UCSF staffs was first notified of the cost-cutting scheme in June 2020. But the-then Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal stepped in, halted the decision and the workers continued receiving full salaries.
"Sadly after GRS came into power in September 2020, all these poor financial management is repeating itself, just like under the BN era."
Junz noted that a few victims have come forward to voice their discontent towards the current situation where they mentioned their preference over the administration under Shafies's leadership.
"They miss his (Shafie) commitment in ensuring the livelihoods of Sabahans remain intact."
