Bandar Sahabat growth centre planned
Published on: Saturday, February 26, 2022
By: Dailly Express
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Mahathir signing the agreement on Bandar Sahabat.
1983: The Sabah, Sarawak and federal governments agreed to develop a new growth centre at the Merapok-Sindumin border.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Chief Ministers Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh and Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud signed for Sabah and Sarawak, respectively.
Mahathir named the new border town “Bandar Sahabat”. A RM15m allocation would be provided to develop the new town, which will be the nucleus centre for people in both areas.
A mosque, post office, 18 units of shophouses and secondary school will be provided to cater for the people there, expected to increase to 8,000 in two years.
The current population of Sindumin was 2,000 while double that in Merapok. The population is expected to reach 10,000 by 1990.
Sabah bank expands to peninsula
1983: Sabah Bank expanded to the peninsula with the opening of a branch in Kuala Lumpur.
Apart from providing the usual banking services, it would also provide potential investors information on investment opportunities in Sabah.
It was the fifth branch since starting operations in 1979.
October 29
Mustapha Golf Trust formed
1974: A Tun Datu Mustapha Golf Trust was formed to build and manage golf courses in Sabah.
The principal Trustee was Tun Mustapha, who was also Chief Minister while the Director was his Assistant Minister Datuk Herman Luping.
Other members included Assemblyman Datuk Harris Salleh. An 18-hole course was being built at Bukit Padang and targetted for completion by 1977.
October 23
Mara KK-Sandakan bus service
1972: Mara announced plans to operate a direct bus service between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan next month.
Its Divisional Manager Jack Maiks-Nuashim said an accord had been reached on this service and they were awaiting approval.
Mara planned to operate the service covering the 246-mil distance via 12-seat Land Rovers within eight hours.
The fare is RM20 each way and a third Land Rover are only temporary pending the arrival of RM60,000 buses with a seating capacity for 28.
Keningau model youth farm
1977: State Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Datuk Haji Suffian Koroh declared open a Model Youth farm in Keningau where 34 youths were being trained on 100 acres of uncultivated land belonging to residents there.
Seventy-five per cent of the income would go to the youths as part of their remuneration, plus RM 150 pocket money each month.
Of this RM 100 would go towards their bank account. The training would take two years and they stand to receive 15 acres to begin their own farming at the end of their stint.
October 24
Carigali-BP’s first oil well
1981: Carigali-BP drilled its first well near Pulau Balambangan, 60km off Kudat, marking the start of a, major oil exploration venture costing RM95m over the next two years.
The company was the first exploration joint venture entered into by Petronas.
October 25
Biscuit maker moves to Sabah
1972: Biscuit maker Khong Guan decided to venture into the Sabah market directly by setting up a factory at Mile 5, Jalan Tuaran.
The factory was due to begin operations early next year by producing 60 varieties of biscuits totalling 10 tonnes initially.
Manpower master plan study
1983: Agreement for a manpower master plan study till the year 2000 was signed between the Ministry of Resource Development and the British Council.
The Ministry said despite the State’s high growth rate, manpower at all levels had been one of the major constraints of Sabah’s socio-economic development.
October 26
Sandakan Observation Pavilion opened
1970: Communications and Works Minister Dato Pang Tet Shung declared open the Sandakan Rotary Club’s Observation Pavilion.
The RM25,000 pavilion is perched on the slopes of Red Hill and commands a magnificent view of Sandakan town.
From the pavilion, what one normally sees are thousands of logs floating like matchsticks in the sea, serving a constant reminder of Sabah’s wealth.
The Sandakan Town Board is responsible for its upkeep.
Customs gets largest vessel
1982: The Customs Preventive branch acquired a RM4m vessel to patrol Sabah and Labuan waters more effectively.
Labuan being a free port, many items were being smuggled into the State.
The “Gunung Kinabalu” is the largest boat Customs ever had. It can reach a maximum speed of 25 knots per hour.
October 27
Making Kundasang top greens producer
1976: Chief Minister Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh said Kundasang would be developed into a major vegetable-producing centre catering for the needs of Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.
A consultant was drawing up a scheme to dam up sufficient water for irrigation and two rivers - Liwagu and Mesilau - had been surveyed.
The RM3m plan will entail gravitational irrigation of few thousand acres of vegetable terraces to ensure year-round cultivation.
He said other plans include a 50-room hilltop hotel, a standard golf course on the Pinosuk Plateau, which has also been earmarked as the new headquarters for Kinabalu National Park.
Old Age scheme launched
1979: The Government’s Old Age Assistance scheme was launched with some 100 elderly people collecting RM60 each.
Social Welfare Minister Toh Puan Rahimah said the scheme would mean an additional expenditure of RM20 million for the State each year.
SIA plea to declare Deepavali a holiday
1978: The Sabah Indian Association (SIA) appealed to the State Government to declared Deepavali a public holiday.
Its President RN Roy said this would enable people of all communities in Sabah to join in the occasion, just like in the case of other major festivities.
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