Papar: Several major infrastructure issues in the Kinarut and Papar areas are currently being actively addressed, including road projects, water supply, and the construction of a new bridge. Papar MP Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who also serves as the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, announced that the main Kinarut Selatan road project, which links the Penampang route to Benoni, has been fully completed and is expected to alleviate traffic problems in the area.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, although the Kinarut Selatan project is not part of the Pan Borneo Highway, it has been completed, but the handover process to the government has yet to be finalized. Once this process is complete, related issues such as the provision of U-turn lanes and road safety aspects will be identified, and additional funding for improvements will be sought.

Armizan further stated that road projects in the Kinarut area are currently awaiting tender evaluation and approval by the Works Ministry's Procurement Board following a previous cancellation. Continuous efforts are being made to initiate these projects in line with rapid development in Kinarut, including the expected completion of Kinarut Pump City by the end of this year and Kinarut Pump Avenue by the end of the next year.

Additionally, Armizan noted that the road project from the Sabindo roundabout to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kinarut has received approval and is currently undergoing the tender process, which is expected to ease traffic congestion over the next three years. The construction of a new bridge linking Kampung Pengalat Kecil to Sungai Padang has also been approved, with the tender expected to be issued in the second quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, Datuk Susan Wong, managing director of WSG Group, mentioned that the Kinarut Palm Avenue commercial development is anticipated to create significant employment opportunities for the local community, particularly the residents of Papar. Approximately 1,000 job opportunities are expected to be generated, with a focus on hiring local residents to reduce reliance on workers from outside districts.