Barisan has tourism plans for Ba’Kelalan

BA’KELALAN: The cool and scenic highlands here will be developed for tourism. 

This and other social and development programmes are Barisan Nasional’s pledge to the people which were listed down in a manifesto. 

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said other plans for Ba’Kelalan include provision of tar-sealed roads, electricity, treated water, telecommunications and other infrastructure projects. 

Barisan’s Nelson Balang Rining, 48, is facing a straight fight with Independent Baru Bian, 46, in Saturday’s polling. The seat has 7,896 registered voters. Campaigning is now in full swing. 

 

Ba’Kelalan’s 9,000 sq km, about the size of Perlis and Penang combined, is mostly valleys, rolling hills and mountain ranges.  

 

The bulk of the population are the Orang Ulu ethnic groups. 

 

The entire constituency is dotted by tiny scattered settlements, mostly accessible by winding timber tracks and rivers. 

The house of the late Dr Judson Tagal, who was killed with six others in a helicopter crash near Bario on July 12, is located just a short distance away from the main timber road leading from Lawas town to Ba’Kelalan village. 

Many areas in Ba’Kelalan are found in rustic and charming settings, making them excellent getaways for city-folks.  

State Minister for Resources Planning Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hassan earlier announced that a RM76mil water supply project would be implemented in the region soon.