Kota Kinabalu: The paving of Jalan Sapulut-Salong-Pagalungan-Pensiangan has now been completed up to Pensiangan town, significantly reducing travel time and improving access for residents in Sabah’s interior.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the project was among the manifesto pledges he made as the
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Member of Parliament for Pensiangan to upgrade Jalan Sapulut-Salong-Pagalungan-Pensiangan.
He said that during a recent working visit to Pensiangan town, he also inspected the progress of the road project, which has now reached the town.
“Previously, whenever I visited Pensiangan, I would see many boats but very few cars. Now, there are many cars parked around Pensiangan town because the road is in good condition. It is now much easier for everyone, including teachers, doctors and nurses, to travel there.
“The journey from Keningau to Pensiangan town now takes only three hours, compared with more than six hours previously. In bad weather, travellers could even end up stranded by the roadside. That is no longer the case. People can now travel there comfortably and safely.
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“More young people are also beginning to return to their villages to develop their land and help generate the local economy,” he said in a post on his Facebook page Friday.
Arthur said the road project forms part of a master development plan that he has been pursuing over the past few years to transform Sabah’s interior, particularly the Pensiangan parliamentary constituency.
He said Phase Four of the project would see the new road network extended to the border of Kalimantan, Indonesia, creating more economic and tourism opportunities for local communities.
“The master plan also encompasses several other development projects, including the completed Jalan Sinaron-Linayukan, Tongod, Jalan Rancangan Belia Tiulon-Simbuan, which is currently under construction, the Sapulut coffee processing factory, which is being built, as well as the upgrading of the jetty and boat facilities at Pangkalan Salong, which is nearing completion,” he said.
He added that other initiatives include the upgrading of telephone and internet connectivity throughout the district; the completed construction of an agricultural collection centre, the Pagalungan Tamu and the Salong Agrobazaar; the planned immigration and customs complex at the border crossing with Kalimantan, which is currently in the approval process; and the completed construction of the first Sixth Form Centre for Nabawan district at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Nabawan.
Arthur said the implementation of these projects forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen infrastructure development, stimulate the local economy and improve the well-being of communities in Sabah’s interior.
