30 Mesej Spots In Sabah To Eradicate Poverty

KOTA KINABALU, April 18 (New Sabah Times) -- The Rural Development Ministry aims to implement 30 Mini Estet Sejahtera (MESEJ) programmes in Sabah focussing on highly impoverished areas.

Its minister who is also Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the locations that have been identified will be integrated with the federal Local Community Development Programme (PPMS).

Each location chosen to implement Mesej should have an area of not less than 120 hectares.

“In future each district can propose areas greater than 120 hectares for Mesej,” he said when replying to a question from Kuamut assemblyman, Johnny Intang at the State Legislative Assembly Sitting here yesterday.

Beginning 2006, the state government through the ministry approved nine Mesej programmes that are already in various stages of implementation.

These are at Kg Kinosoludon Ulu Kimanis Papar, Kg Minikodong Matunggong, Kg Sungai Laba Pulau Sebatik Tawau, Kg Bunang Sook Keningau, Kg Ulu Paitan Kemabong Tenom, Kg Tabatu Paitan Beluran, Kg Kotud Kota Marudu, Kg Lanung Tongod and Kg Barambangon Kudat.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development, Datuk Aklee Abas said a proposal to upgrade Jalan Tampulan-Kiulu will be raised for consideration under the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) as well as other pressing projects.

He was responding to Inanam assemblyman, Johnny Goh who asked if the road project that was not included in the 9MP could be given consideration under the mid-term review.

The road serves nine villages and two primary schools as well as a link to the Telipok-Kiulu bypass.