TUARAN: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has refuted the Opposition's claim that no development has taken place in Sulaman, the constituency he has represented for the past eight terms.
The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman, who is defending the seat, said numerous improvements have been carried out over the years for the benefit of the people.
"The support from the people here has been tremendous.
"I have brought various changes to Sulaman but the Opposition fails to see what we have done.
"There are major housing developments in Sulaman and Tuaran town and basic road access to villages is now almost 100%," he said in a statement on Saturday (Nov 22).
Hajiji highlighted some of the major achievements, including the development of organised settlements in Mengkabong and Kampung Penimbawan, where every fishing household received a free house and relocated on land instead of living on the water.
"We are doing this to help fishermen who live on the water by providing proper housing. We also have the Rumah Sabah Maju Jaya initiative. Although many have not yet received it, it is still a significant effort," he said.
He added that ongoing initiatives include the construction of the RM15mil Tuaran Sports Complex on a 6.07ha site, along with annual allocations for youth associations and support for small businesses.
Hajiji said development efforts in Tuaran also involve upgrading the road from Bulatan Berungis to Batangan into a two-way, four-lane route, as well as the Pan Borneo Highway project from Serusup, Tuaran, to Binturu, Kota Belud, which is expected to be completed within two years.
Sulaman is one of the state seats in the Tuaran parliamentary constituency. The others are Pantai Dalit, Tamparuli and Kiulu.
The Election Commission has set Nov 25 for early voting for the 17th Sabah State Election. The polling day is on Nov 29. – Bernama
