PLANS to bring back Sandakan’s historic barter trade network must be fast-tracked to unlock fresh economic opportunities and spur growth across Sabah’s eastern seaboard.
Sungai Manila Assemblyman Datuk Hazem Mubarak Musa (pic) made the call while debating the Supplementary Supply Bill 2026 at the State Legislative Assembly
Tuesday, framing the long-mooted revival as a key catalyst for local commerce and livelihoods.
He expressed optimism that the state administration would act swiftly on his earlier formal proposal to revitalise the once-thriving trade system, which has long been seen as untapped potential for the region’s business and trading communities.
Hazem expressed confidence that the government would act on his earlier proposal to revitalise the barter trade.
Hazem also welcomed the supplementary allocations to ministries, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI), describing them as a reflection of the government’s commitment to strengthening food security.
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He commended the ministry for actively engaging with farmers and listening to their concerns, stressing that such efforts had helped build confidence among the farming community.
At the same time, Hazem urged the ministry to improve marketing opportunities for agricultural produce, particularly for smallholders, by expanding access beyond traditional ‘tamu’ (open-air market).
He also urged the government to introduce initiatives to improve the livelihoods of fishermen and help raise their standard of living.
On infrastructure issues in his constituency, Hazem said problems involving streetlights and drainage should not be overlooked simply despite being considered minor compared with larger concerns such as roads and water supply.
He said faulty streetlights and poor drainage remained among the main concerns raised by residents in Sungai Manila and should be addressed promptly to maintain public confidence in the government.
Hazem said he had instructed the Sungai Manila Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) to identify faulty streetlights and drainage problems throughout the constituency.
Hazem urged the relevant ministries to conduct regular inspections and implement immediate measure instead of waiting for public complaints.
He added that every ringgit allocated under the Supplementary Supply Bill 2026 represented the hopes and expectations of Sabahans, describing the approval of the additional funding as a significant milestone for the state.
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