Councillors Told To Prepare Sabah's Northern Region For Future Growth
Friday, 15 October 2004 (Source: Bernama)

KOTA MARUDU: Kota Marudu and Pitas local councillors have been asked to formulate a five-year development plan to take the two districts out of the "poverty-stricken region" category.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, said Friday the plan was important to map out business and management strategies and capture the expected income opportunities arising from future economic growth of Sabah's northern region.

He said that there was every likelihood of both districts witnessing a better growth with the construction of a vital road linking the state's northern region with the east coast.

"The forecast is that land development through agricultural expansion of industrial crops, particularly oil palm, will intensify in the next five years with the completion of the Pitas-Paitan-Pamol road link next year.

"It is expected that tourism and agro-based industries would also receive huge support from investors," he said at the first full meeting of Kota Marudu and Pitas newly sworn-in councillors.

Dr Ongkili, who is Kota Marudu MP, also suggested that the present Kota Marudu-Pitas combined council make preparations for eventual separation where Pitas district will have its own full council.

"The idea is not new. The then Parti Bersatu Sabah government in late 1980's suggested the formation of a full district council for Pitas," he said.

However after further study, it was decided to postpone it due to insufficient income sources to support the operation of the council.

In the light of changed economic and business environment in the northern region and the anticipated investments in agriculture and other sectors, it was now timely to review the matter, he said.

"In this way, the development of the Pitas township can be better planned and coordinated to complement efforts by the state and federal government in providing basic infrastructure and thereby move Pitas and Kota Marudu from the category of 'poverty stricken districts' in the country," he said.

Dr Ongkili also called on the council to work hard to ensure that both districts are clean and free from rubbish, illegal immigrants, illegal gambling and social ills.

Also present to address the meeting was Pitas assemblyman, Datuk Masrani Parman, as well as Kota Marudu district officer, Jane Tan, who chairs the council and Pitas assistant district officer, Abdul Wahab Abdul Hamid, the deputy chairman.