‘Paitan Smart City’ A Key Agenda For GRS' Sugut Candidate

By Suraidah Roslan

BELURAN, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The development of the ‘Paitan Smart City’ has become one of the key agendas of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) candidate for the Sugut seat in the 17th Sabah State Election, Datuk James Ratib.

James, who is also the incumbent for the seat, said the centralised township development included the construction of 200 houses under the Hardcore Poor Housing Programme (PPRT), a modern sports complex as well as a more organised placement of government department and agency buildings.

He said the smart city initiative was expected to bring significant benefits to residents, particularly in improving their living standards and spurring local economic activities.

“This modern township development plan will be implemented over five to 10 years by a private company and has received recognition from the Department of Town and Country Planning. It is also included in my manifesto for the 17th Sabah State Election,” he told Bernama.

Commenting on the opposition’s allegation that the project was built on village land, James stressed that the area concerned was actually owned by Yayasan Sabah, an agency under the state government.

“That’s not true. Not an inch of village land is involved. So, I urge Paitan residents not to fall for the slander being spread,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the upgrading of Paitan to full district status since March had begun yielding positive results, especially in addressing the issue of late birth registrations due to the long travel distance to registration offices in Beluran or Pitas.

“After a woman gives birth, she has to travel to Pitas or Beluran to register her child’s birth, which takes four to five hours and costs RM400 to RM500 for each trip,” he said.

He said with full district status, the registration office now operates twice a week on a rotational basis in Paitan while awaiting the construction of a new office.

Paitan is located about 170 kilometres (km) from the town of Beluran or 216km from Sandakan.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 29 as polling day, with early voting on Nov 25.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah State Election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php

N48: SUGUT: SABAH: 18,435

1. Rosely Lajun                                 (PIS)

2. Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee     (PN-Bersatu)

3. Roger Langgau                             (Independent)

4. Aspah Abdullah Sani                     (Warisan)

5. Hassan Mentiak                             (PPRS)

6. Mohammad Arifin Pachuk             (BN-UMNO)

7. Datuk James Ratib                        (GRS-Gagasan Rakyat)

(2020: Datuk James Ratib: BN-UMNO: Maj: 1,664)

-- BERNAMA