TONGOD: The Sabah State Legislative Assembly has approved the implementation of the Penangah New Township project under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), with development scheduled to commence this year.
Kuamut Assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah said the mixed-use project forms part of the RM6.9 billion State Budget 2026, which was tabled during the State Assembly sitting on last Friday.
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He said the new township is expected to spur economic growth among local residents, given its strategic location near a cement factory development that is projected to begin operations by the end of 2026.
Masiung was speaking to the media after officiating the Penangah Zone Christmas celebration on Thursday.
According to him, an initial allocation of RM3 million has been approved for preliminary works, including site measurement covering 200 acres, construction of access roads, earthworks and drainage systems.
The Penangah New Township will be developed in phases through a strategic collaboration with the Housing and Town Development Board (LPPB) under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development framework.
Masiung said the township development, located close to the cement plant in Kampung Kawayoi which is expected to create some 1,000 job opportunities, is poised to open a new chapter for the Tongod district, which is listed among the 10 poorest districts in Malaysia.
He emphasised that under the 13MP, construction of another new township project in Tongod is already underway, while work on the previously stalled Tongod Sports Complex will also be resumed.
The colourful Penangah Zone Christmas celebration drew more than 2,000 attendees and featured various performances, including fireworks displays and musical performances by local artistes such as Datuk Francis Landong, George Lian and Asimjn Pugug.
Also present were St John Penangah Parish Priest Father Andreas Barnabas, Parish Priest of Tampasak and Imbak Rev Father Masri Raimiee, and Rev Father Habis Olui.
