PM vows to go rafting in Kiulu if BN wins
Published on: Friday, March 23, 2018
Tuaran: More physical developments will be brought here, including Kiulu, if Barisan Nasional (BN) wins the Tuaran parliamentary seat and three state seats within it in the coming 14th General Election (GE14), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Giving this assurance, he said the people here can expect a better future with more physical developments to transform the area."I am attracted to the recreational rafting activity in Kiulu and making a special offer to all of you here.
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If you want to see me coming back to Kiulu and going rafting in the (Kiulu) river, then give your full support to ensure BN candidates win all the seats here. "After the GE14, I will surely come back," he said when launching the 60km federal-funded Telipok-Kiulu-Randa-gong Highway costing RM288 million at Kg Pukak, in Kiulu, Thursday. He was earlier briefed on the progress of the project by the Public Works Department.Najib also visited the construction site of the project, accompanied by Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, Tuaran MP cum Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Kiulu Assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman, Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Nor Rizan Mohd Thani, Sabah Public Works Department Director Datuk Amrullah Kamal and other senior officials.Najib, who is also BN Chairman, said the coalition has a proven track record in providing basic amenities and infrastructures to the people, especially in rural areas. He said the caring BN government always honoured its promises and would give even more development projects to the people so that they have a better future.
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"We (BN) are not a government that only talks to incite. That (inciting the people) is the work of the opposition. We have proven to make changes and bring transformation to the people here which the Tuaran MP has mentioned one by one in his speech earlier.
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"We are going forward to the future and I have provided basic amenities and facilities for the people's comfort, especially in rural and interior areas, as a way to further develop the country to a higher level."This is because I am truly concerned of rural development in Sabah. The RM288 million Telipok-Kiulu-Randagong Highway was proposed in the 7th Malaysia Plan (7MP) during the period 1986-1990 under the leader who was the premier for 22 years," he said. Najib said the road was finally approved and materialised after he (Najib) became the Prime Minister."The former Premier for 22 years now wants to become Prime Minister again…he never cared about the wellbeing and plight of the people in Tuaran and Kiulu who have long been waiting for this road project to kick off."Construction of the road commenced in 2016 and I am pleased with the progress of the project, which is 65 per cent completed and 20 ahead of schedule."Once the project is completed (in March next year), the road connectivity will facilitate easy access for the people of Tuaran and they would feel more comfortable and able to carry out their daily routines," he said.Najib said Kiulu has huge potential to be developed and the State Government is on the right track to focus on rural tourism, which is headed by Joniston as the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Chairman.He said he is optimistic that once the road project is completed, the annual tourist arrivals of 53,000 to Kiulu now would increase to 100,000 and more.This would generate a bigger income to the local communities and he presumed their earnings would be more when more basic amenities and facilities are provided in Kiulu.Najib also rejected claims by the opposition that the Federal Government is bankrupt."The Malaysian Government is not bankrupt and, in fact, how could a bankrupt government provide the RM288 million road project in Kiulu and approving billions of ringgit to build the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah over 1,200 kilometres without toll from Sindumin to Tawau, which is our gift to Sabah."That mega road project is currently in its first phase while second and third phases will follow. "If we are bankrupt, how come Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau often asks for more funding from me each time we have our Federal Cabinet meeting?Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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