From Remote Outpost To Rising Economic Jewel Of Sabah, Banggi Island Charts New Future

By Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman

KUDAT, May 12 (Bernama) -- For decades, life on Banggi Island moved at the rhythm of the sea.

Fishermen set out before dawn, children travelled by boat to school, and many villagers relied on patchy infrastructure while living amid one of Sabah’s most stunning island landscapes.

Today, the remote island in northern Sabah is beginning to write a different story, turning itself into a new economic jewel, one that is shaped by development, tourism and the promise of a blue economy.

That transformation gained fresh momentum after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced, on May 9, a special allocation of more than RM31 million to accelerate development on the island and ensure it is not left behind in the nation’s progress.

The allocation, channelled through the Federal Government and the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister’s Department, covers road and bridge construction, jetty facilities, as well as healthcare, education and security sectors.

For Banggi assemblyman, Datuk Mohammad Mohamarin, the investment reflects long-overdue recognition of the island’s untapped potential.

“Banggi has attractions found nowhere else. At Kampung Pasir Hitam, the black sand sparkles when light shines on it at night. We also have white sandy beaches and limestone caves in Balambangan,” he said in a recent interview with Bernama.

Surrounded by about 44 smaller islands, Mohammad said Banggi possesses the kind of natural beauty often associated with world-famous tropical destinations, and he believes the island could one day rival Semporna as a premier tourism hotspot.

Among the island gems are Pulau Balambangan, Pulau Tanjung Manawali, Pulau Tigabu, Pulau Mandi Darah and Pulau Sibogo, known for their crystal-clear waters, silica-rich beaches and untouched coral reefs.

Yet despite its beauty, Banggi has long faced challenges linked to isolation.

Located about 70km from mainland Kudat and accessible only by ferry or speedboat, the 621 sq km island has historically lagged behind in infrastructure development.

Around 30,000 people from communities including the Ubian, Dusun Bonggi, Kegayan, Bajau Samah and Molbog ethnic groups call the island home. Most rely on fishing, oil palm and rubber cultivation to make a living.

Mohammad said improving basic infrastructure remains key to unlocking the island’s full economic potential. Reliable water supply, electricity and roads are essential not only for tourism, but also for raising living standards for local communities.

He said one major project already underway is Banggi’s second water treatment plant, funded by the Sabah government at a cost of about RM62 million, the construction of which has passed the halfway mark and is progressing according to schedule.

Plans are also being drawn up for a community hall, sports complex and phased coastal road network, projects expected to create jobs and stimulate economic activity across the island, he said.

Beyond tourism, Banggi is also positioning itself as a future centre for agriculture and renewable energy. Pilot projects involving Harumanis mangoes and MD2 pineapples are being developed through the Lembaga Industri Getah Sabah (LIGS), alongside coconut cultivation and marine aquaculture.

The island is also emerging as a potential hub for green energy. Strong coastal winds have identified Banggi as a promising site for wind turbines and solar energy projects, alongside Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in Kudat.

For residents, Mohammad said, the changes represent more than just an infrastructure project; they signal the possibility of better livelihoods, stronger connectivity and greater opportunities for future generations.

The combined commitment of the state and federal governments had placed Banggi firmly on the path towards becoming Sabah’s next economic jewel, with benefits expected to spill over into nearby districts such as Kudat, Bengkoka and Pitas.

-- BERNAMA