Sabah Assembly: Banggi Rep Proposes Six-Region Development Approach

KOTA KINABALU, April 28 (Bernama) -- Banggi assemblyman Datuk Mohammad Mohamarin has proposed that the Sabah government adopt a regional development approach involving six zones covering several key districts across the state to ensure more structured and comprehensive planning.

He said the move is important to enable development in each region to be planned according to local needs and potential.

The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) assemblyman said each region could also be administered through a special committee comprising elected representatives, heads of departments and economic experts to formulate policies, implement projects and monitor investments more efficiently.

“Each of these regions will have a major project that will serve as a landmark. I am confident that if this can be properly planned and implemented by the government, the people’s economy, as well as small and medium industries, will become more vibrant, and each district will benefit from one another,” he said.

Mohammad said this when debating the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

He also proposed that Region One comprise Pulau Banggi, Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas; Region Two cover Kota Belud, Tuaran, Ranau, Inanam, Penampang, Putatan and Papar; while Region Three include Beluran, Sandakan and Kinabatangan.

Region Four would involve Kuala Penyu, Beaufort, Tambunan, Keningau, Tenom, Sipitang and Nabawan; Region Five comprise Telupid and Tongod; while Region Six cover Kalabakan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Tawau and Semporna.

He said that the proposal also takes into account concerns over the development gap that still exists between rapidly developing areas and less developed regions.

He added that various basic infrastructure issues in Pulau Banggi need attention, including the unsatisfactory condition of road infrastructure, with only a small portion of roads paved, while the rest remain gravel roads.

Other proposals include the construction of business premises, a mini library and recreational centres, as well as the provision of water and electricity supply in villages that have yet to receive basic amenities.

Mohammad also proposed specific agricultural programmes such as the cultivation of Harum Manis mangoes and MD2 pineapples, as well as the development of new tourism sites at Bukit Sinambung and Gua Kok Simpul on the island.

Meanwhile, assemblyman Datuk Hazem Mubarak Musa (GRS-Sungai Manila) suggested that the government review the implementation of barter trade as a measure to revitalise Sandakan’s economy, which he described as increasingly sluggish.

He said the approach has the potential to attract investors and revive local economic activities, thereby generating spillover benefits not only for Sandakan but also for the entire state.

Hazem Mubarak also stressed that strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET) should be prioritised in efforts to develop Sabah’s human capital.

He added that physical infrastructure development alone is insufficient if the state fails to produce a highly skilled local workforce capable of managing, maintaining and advancing the industrial sector.

“I urge the Sabah government to undertake a drastic overhaul of the TVET curriculum in Sabah so that it is truly driven by industry needs. We want TVET today to no longer be limited to traditional skills alone,” he said.

-- BERNAMA