By News Editor
KUALA LUMPUR: “Come and see for yourself.”
This was Mekvin Mosibin’s response to two deputy ministers who accused his sister, Veveonah, of being a publicity-seeker instead of someone highlighting the lack of Internet access in her village in Pitas, Sabah.
In a Facebook post last night, Mekvin challenged Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin and Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri to see for themselves the plight faced by rural Sabahans.
“If you are a YB (Yang Berhormat), go to the ground. Come to all the rural villages…only then, you will know.
“See for yourself how people in villages are living. Try using the Internet here yourself,” Mekvin said, adding that villagers are often deprived of proper Internet access because they cannot high data packages.
“Villagers like us cannot afford to pay much for the Internet. Whenever we go online to answer our exams, we have to wait for a long time and usually only the Logo Raksaksa (referring to Google’s offline dinosaur game) comes out.
“Of course, you are a YB, and you can pay more for Internet. So, why pick a fight with villagers who are not your equals?” he said on social media.
On Monday, Rahim, who is the Kudat Member of Parliament, reiterated Zahidi’s allegations in Dewan Negara last week that Veveonah was a YouTuber who faked the difficulty she faced when taking her examination online. He claimed the youth carried out the stunt to garner publicity.
Although Zahidi later apologised and retracted his statement, Rahim insisted that the University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) faculty dean told him that there were no online exams conducted on the day Veveonah posted a viral video of her climbing a tree for better Internet access.
Mekvin also commented on Rahim’s claim that his family does not own a home in Kampung Sepatalang, as Veveonah had stated.
“Of course you won’t find our house there because it was in a derelict condition and it has collapsed.
“Furthermore, my family had to move out because we could not cope with the travel expenses to and from our schools, SMK Pitas and SK Pekan Pitas.
“Do you think we are rich enough to buy fuel, YB?” Mekvin said.
He said neither his sister nor his family members have asked for anyone’s help or sympathy, but the issue has been politicised by irresponsible people.
A frustrated Mekvin sternly reminded politicians in power to never forget the people’s welfare after getting elected.
“YB, you cannot fight the people, because your power is in the hands of the people.
“The people voted for you to become a YB and deputy minister. Now that you have settled into your position, you have forgotten about underprivileged villagers.
“The people are the ones giving power to leaders,” he added.–NST
