KALABAKAN: The design of a new health clinic for residents of Pulau Sebatik is ready with funding significantly increased to RM49 million. The island is shared by both Malaysia and Indonesia.
The increased funding refers to the original allocation of RM20 million approved in 2019 for the construction of a Tamang Jenis Enam Sungai (Sg) Tamang Health Clinic in Kampung (Kg) Sg Tamang.
Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya, the Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister, said the extra funds were added after they reviewed the final design.
“The Public Works Department and the Health Department have revised the development into two phases after determining that the required allocation exceeded the original funding,” he said.
Shahelmey was met by reporters during a working visit to development project sites in Sebatik, an island located on the Malaysia-Indonesia border, here on Monday.
Also present were the Member of Parliament for Kalabakan, who is also the State Assemblyman (ADUN) for Tanjung Batu, Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy, and the State Assemblyman for Sebatik, Datuk Hassan A Gani Pg Amir.
Shahelmey explained that the first phase is just for building the clinic, while the second phase will include staff housing and other utilities.
“The first phase is expected to go to tender in the third quarter of September this year, involving an allocation of over RM30 million, with the remaining funds allocated for the second phase,” he said.
Following that, he expressed hope that construction work for the first phase of the project can commence either before the end of this year or early next year.
He further stated that the project, which has been delayed for a long time due to planning, funding, and technical issues, will be closely monitored to ensure that the construction work proceeds according to plan.
Currently, the Sungai Tamang Health Clinic, which serves approximately 25,000 residents of Sebatik, is operating temporarily in an old building in Kampung Sungai Tongkang.
Sebatik residents also have to take a passenger boat for 45 minutes to an hour across the Cowie Bay waters to the Tawau Public Jetty if they wish to seek treatment at Tawau Hospital.
