KOTA KINABALU: Kudat should be considered as a new industrial park for Sabah due to its strategic location and geography.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said location-wise, it is strategic to be close to countries like China, Korea and Japan and the seas in Kudat are deep for ports and ships.
He said the state has identified a 5,000 acre land area to develop for this purpose, and it needs the support and cooperation from assemblymen, local leaders, the Member of Parliament and its community to realise this dream.
He said the government does not plan to grab anyone’s lands for this purpose but rather to involve landowners in the developments planned.
“We still need to discuss this further with various parties including the state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship minister and its MP before we can proceed,” Hajiji said.
He said this during a Bakti Madani Kudat 2024 programme in Kudat, Saturday (Aug 24).
During the event, a total of 444 native land grants comprising over 1,130 ha of land were issued to owners in Matunggong (353 grants), Tanjong Kapor (55) and Banggi (36 grants).
Hajiji hoped the issuance of land titles would help villagers develop their lands better and improve their living conditions through agricultural activities among other things.
“This is the state government’s commitment to ensure that the rights and welfare of the people are protected and prioritised,” he said.
Earlier, he said programmes such as these are relevant in the effort to provide accurate information on the Malaysia Madani and Sabah Maju Jaya concept.
“Our initiatives under the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda are going in the right direction and are able to provide a better tomorrow for the people,” Hajiji said.
He hopes the programme can be expanded to other districts so that more people at the grassroots level can benefit from it.
“The state will continue to build an inclusive and strong economy, including promoting investments in main sectors such as tourism, agriculture, industrialisation, and the blue economy,” he said.
