Tenom: The gazettement of Kemabong as a full district marks a strategic move to strengthen local governance and support the proposed upgrade of the Keningau District Council to municipal status, said Rural Development Minister Datuk Rubin Balang.
Rubin, who is also the Kemabong Assemblyman, stressed that the move goes beyond administrative restructuring and is aimed at improving efficiency in governance and development planning across the region.
He explained that one of the key objectives of the separation is to redistribute administrative responsibilities that were previously managed under Tenom district. By doing so, both areas can function more effectively within their respective jurisdictions.
“When Kemabong is upgraded as a full district, it will enhance administrative capacity and support development in Keningau as a growth centre,” he said.
According to Rubin, the separation will allow Tenom’s administration to be streamlined, enabling it to better meet the criteria required for municipal status. At the same time, Kemabong will benefit from greater autonomy in managing its own development priorities.
He noted that with full district status, Kemabong would be able to accelerate infrastructure, economic, and social development initiatives, reducing its reliance on Tenom for administrative support.
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Rubin added that the move also plays a crucial role in urban planning, as achieving municipal status requires meeting specific benchmarks such as population density, tax revenue, and the provision of structured urban facilities.
“With this separation, Keningau can focus on urban development, increase revenue, and meet the indicators required for a municipal council,” he said.
He further highlighted that the gazettement would bring tangible benefits to residents, including improved access to government services in Kemabong and enhanced urban facilities in Keningau.
The move is seen as a step forward in strengthening regional development and positioning Keningau as a key growth centre in the interior of Sabah.
