Banggi MP urges federal government to fund a 37km road project worth over RM300 million to improve connectivity on the island.
KOTA KINABALU: The federal government has been urged to consider constructing a paved or concrete road stretching about 37 kilometres (km) from Kampung Meliu to Kampung Dogoton on Pulau Banggi, Kudat, at an estimated cost of more than RM300 million.
Datuk Mohamad Mohamarin (GRS-Banggi) said the proposal, which is planned for implementation in three phases, was submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his visit to Pulau Banggi on May 9.
He said the project was crucial to improving connectivity on the island, which has about 81 km of main roads, of which only 14 km are paved and those are now in a dilapidated condition.
“I also wish to ask the Sabah Works Ministry whether the upgrading of this 14 km stretch, which is riddled with potholes and has been the site of several fatal accidents, is included in this year’s budget or implementation plan,” he said when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill 2026 at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Mohamad said the 81-km total excludes roads on Pulau Balambangan, Tanjung Manawali, Pulau Sibogo and Pulau Tigabu, which are also within the Banggi constituency.
Although several development projects had been announced during visits by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and the Prime Minister to Pulau Banggi, he said the area still required substantial funding to address decades-old infrastructure shortcomings.
He also urged the state government to consider developing a wind energy project with a capacity of between 15 and 50 megawatts to improve electricity supply and stimulate economic activities on the island.
