PAITAN: The State Government has approved a proposal to upgrade Paitan and Sook sub-districts to full district status, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the proposal was approved by the State Cabinet meeting recently.
“God willing, these two small districts will be able to operate as full districts in the near future after some technical matters, especially those involving administrative affairs and district demarcation, among others, are resolved as soon as possible.
“With the upgrade, we hope government services to the people in both areas can be improved in line with the full district status.
“We have informed the State Secretary and relevant parties to take the necessary steps to speed up the process of upgrading the two sub-districts,” he said at a breaking fast ceremony jointly organised by the Ministry of Community Development and People’s Wellbeing and the Paitan Sub-district Office, here, Saturday.
Also present were Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, Kuamut Assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah and other officials.
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Earlier in his speech, Hajiji said the people of Paitan are very fortunate to have an elected representative (James) who is very concerned about their difficulties and sufferings.
“I believe upgrading Paitan to full district status will change its development landscape and give real wellbeing to the people,” he said.
According to him, although Paitan is quite far from Kota Kinabalu, the Government has never neglected it like other districts in the State.
Hajiji also announced an allocation of RM2 million to build a multipurpose hall in Paitan to meet the needs of the people.
“Many more projects will be implemented in Paitan, including the federal road from Kanibongan to Pitas. I will write to the federal Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi to have this road repaired, upgraded and paved.
“Right now the Government is implementing the Paitan-Pantai Boring road at a cost of RM123 million.
“We provide facilities as long as we are able to do so, this is what the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)- Pakatan Harapan (PH) Plus government is doing and God willing, we will bring more development projects to Paitan,” he said.
Hajiji said several other projects have also been approved for Paitan, including construction of a 132 Kilovolt (KV) Main Input Substation (PMU) for electricity from Bengkoka, Pitas to Sugut, Paitan.
Also being implemented, he said, is the Rural Water Supply (BALB) project in Sugut involving 11 villages, while another project that will be implemented is the Mini Estet Sejahtera (MESEJ) Tabatu, Paitan along 5.6 kilometres.
“This is our struggle in Sabah, so I ask our people in Paitan and Beluran to give strong support to the present State Government.
“Let us not be affected and influenced by the slander spread by certain quarters now, be aware that as the state election (PRN) approaches, slander will start to spread by quarters who do not like the Government,” he said.
