Kota kinabalu: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today revealed a special allocation exceeding RM31 million aimed at spearheading development initiatives on Pulau Banggi. This move seeks to ensure that residents of Malaysia's largest island are aligned with the national development trajectory.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the allocation, sourced through the federal government and the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister's Department, encompasses various infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, and enhancements in health, education, security, and jetty facilities.
The Prime Minister highlighted specific projects such as the upgrading of roads and bridges in Kampung Limbuak Laut, Kapitangan, Damaran, and Bayangan Laut. Additionally, improvements are slated for the Pulau Banggi police station and health facilities at the Karakit Health Clinic.
Anwar also mentioned upgrades to school dormitories on Pulau Banggi and Pulau Balambangan, initiatives related to national security and defence by the Ministry of Defence, and enhancements to the Karakit public jetty at the ferry terminal.
"I want Pulau Banggi to be an example to the people who are marginally poor or isolated that this MADANI Government feels responsible for upholding the dignity and capabilities of every citizen," Anwar stated during the Prime Minister's Reception with the Residents of Pulau Banggi.
The event was attended by key officials including Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan, among others.
Anwar emphasized the significance of upgrading the road from Kampung Limbuak Laut to Kampung Pengkalan Darat, currently underway by the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR), costing almost RM44 million. "This project is very important because good roads will open up economic, educational, and health access for the people in the interior of the island," he emphasized.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister announced an additional government contribution of RM1.25 million, coordinated by agencies under the Office of the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), aimed at benefiting residents through educational and development programs.
The government also approved RM1 million for upgrading the jetty in Kampung Dogoton for residents and enforcement agencies, a project to be executed by the Prime Minister's Department's ICU.
Anwar stressed that despite the island's remote location, the MADANI Government is committed to ensuring no community is left behind. "Continuous efforts will always be made to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to enjoy a better standard of living than before," he affirmed.