Pairin banking on KL’s assistance too
Thursday, 13 May 2004 (Source: Daily Express)

TAMBUNAN: Rural Development Minister Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan said his Ministry needs the cooperation of the same Ministry at Federal level to reduce poverty in Sabah.

He said many districts in the State were in need of government intervention to enhance their income, particularly districts which have more than 3,000 homes in the poverty bracket.

“Since assuming the post, I have been trying to make this (cooperation) into a reality,” he told a BN thanksgiving at Lintuhon, Tuesday.

He said other districts such as Tambunan also faced the same dilemma but added the Kadazandusun-dominated district has only 503 homes listed below the poverty level.

However, Pairin, who is also Deputy Chief Minister said it does not mean districts with fewer homes in the poverty bracket would be sidelined.

He said the government has plans to develop the community in areas with high poverty rates.

“Among the approaches is to increase their agriculture produce as well as to have a wider marketing base to sell their produce,” he said.

Pairin said the Government would also try to attract visitors to visit the districts concerned through festivals and celebrations.

Citing Tambunan, he said the Mahua Waterfalls, Mat Salleh Memorial and Batu Gong in Solibog were attractions that could be exploited further to attract visitors.

Pairin also announced an allocation of RM54,500 for various projects in the Lintuhon Mukim.