KOTA KINABALU: Kudat’s Banggi Island is set to get RM31mil in special development allocations, among other funding, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s surprise visit to the island.
Anwar, who arrived in Sabah late Friday (May 8) on a stopover visit from Cebu, Philippines, made the announcement during a meet-the-people function at the northern island on Saturday (May 9).
He said this RM32mil special fund is to spur development for the island, and to ensure that residents in the country’s largest island are not left out in national development agendas.
He said the funds were for road, bridge, healthcare, education, safety and jetty facilities, among other things.
Anwar also listed upgrading projects for hostels in Pulau Banggi and Pulau Balambangan, projects related to national security and defence by the Defence Ministry as well as upgrading of the Karamit public jetty into a ferry terminal during the event.
He said he wants Pulau Banggi to be an example and proof of the Madani government’s responsibility, where the people, regardless of whether they were poor or rich, would not be sidelined.
In terms of land transportation and infrastructure, he said the upgrading projects for Jalan Kampung Limbuak Laut ke Kampung Pengkalan Darat are now ongoing, with a cost of almost RM44mil allocated.
“The project is important because a good road access could open up more economic, education and health access to the rural folks of this island,” Anwar said in announcing an additional RM1.25mil of allocations which will be coordinated by agencies under the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs).
He said this funding will benefit people there for programmes linked to education, institutional operations, healthcare and human capital development as well as green technology.
He also approved a RM1mil funding for the jetty upgrading in Kg Dogoton.
Anwar said the geographical factor of the island should not be an excuse for the communities to continue to be left out, and assured that the Madani government will continue to carry out its responsibilities for the people.
