TWO out of 11 criteria need to be satisfied before Sandakan can be upgraded from a municipality to a full-fledged city.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said the district must first have a population of no less than 500,000 and an annual revenue of RM100 million or above.
“Towards that goal, the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) has drafted a strategic plan scheduled to be launched this year.
“The MPS has set the goal of upgrading Sandakan’s status from municipality to city before or by 2030,” he told the August House on Thursday.
The Deputy Chief Minister II was replying to Datuk Mokran Ingkat (Umno-Sungai Manila) who asked about transformation progress.
Joachim said to achieve the RM100 million annual target, the local government would be enforcing by-laws to optimise revenue collection.
“This is in addition to implementing a new assessment rate that will be fully gazetted by 2025, reviews of property rental rates based on current market value and empowering efforts to collect arrears amounting to over RM40 million.
“For the second criterion, which is having a total population of no less than 500,000 people, the MPS is currently intensifying various planning efforts to ensure Sandakan is always a strategic investment destination to increase job opportunities and to diversify economic potential.
“To achieve this purpose, one of MPS’ plans is to boost the tourism industry through the Sandakan Tourism Action Plan 2020-2030.
“MPS is trying to obtain various recognitions either at national or international level to ensure Sandakan always receives positive highlight,” he said.
He noted among them were achieving the national Asean Clean Tourist City Standards 2024-2026 in April 2024 through the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the MPS Voluntary Local Review and SDG Roadmap in collaboration with Urbanice Malaysia which would be completed and presented in New York, United States during the High Level Political Forum in 2025.
“MPS is optimistic of the district’s strong economic position as well as recognition from various levels that can put it as one of the cities on par with global habitable standards,” he added.
