RANAU: Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the traffic congestion between Tamparuli and the East Coast is due to the increase in people “balik kampung” in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
According to him, the situation occurs usually on weekends or during a festival and the situation returns to normal on normal days.
“The congestion will be overcome when the construction of the Pan Borneo road is completed,” said Masidi, who is also Karanaan Assemblyman.
He was speaking at the 3-in-1 ceremony (Family Day, Inauguration of Red Tierra Homestay and Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House) organised by Hj Roslan bin Daiman Family in Tanah Merah, 5km from town, recently.
Masidi is confident that the current congestion will improve after the Hari Raya celebration as many will return to work.
“People have to be patient because congestion still occurs even when there is a road accident or road repairs after landslides,” he said.
On the ceremony, Masidi commended Roslan’s family for successfully organising the ‘3-in-1’ event which helps strengthen the existing bond among family members.
“Such ceremony should be held so that the brotherhood does not stop and is not broken until the next generation,” he said.
Masidi described the Red Tierra Homestay as another facility for visitors or tourists to have as attractive accommodation with views of rice fields and Mount Kinabalu.
The homestay has eight rooms, a restaurant and various facilities including a spacious and secure parking area. The homestay started in 2019 and fully completed in November 2021.
Also present at the ceremony were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister of Sabah who is also Paginatan Assemblyman, Datuk Abidin Madingkir, and Chairman of the Ranau branch of the Federal Government Retirees Association, Erwan Gunda.
