KUNAK: Jalan Kadazan Mostyn, a 2.5km gravel road must be upgraded to ensure smooth connectivity along the route and comfort for users, including villagers and visitors.
Chairman of the Pro Tem Committee of the Kunak Journalists Club, Ibrahim Tabir, said the route also serves as a key alternative road connecting Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Mostyn, Kampung (Kg) Sri Bahagia, Kg Mostyn Lama and the Impian Lake Tourism Centre in Mostyn.
According to records from the Kunak Public Works Department (JKR), only 624 meters of Jalan Kadazan Mostyn, starting from the Simpang Empat roundabout, are paved, while the majority — 2.5km — remain a gravel road.
He said it is time the Government prioritised upgrading Jalan Kadazan Mostyn. It is a vital route to the Impian Lake tourism centre, which is set to open this year within the SD Guthrie Plantation area.
“Jalan Kadazan Mostyn is under the supervision of the Public Works Department. If upgraded, this route would provide comfort to visitors and tourists heading to Impian Lake. Not only that, it is also an important access point for the rural road network connecting nearby villages,” he said.
Ibrahim said if facilities such as this road are upgraded to asphalt, the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 will be a new milestone for the surrounding areas.
Most parts of the gravel road become difficult to pass after heavy rain because the road’s structure is easily damaged and large stones are scattered across the road surface.
“At times, drivers are forced to remove stones that have ended up on the road, and deep ruts form like ditches during heavy rainfall,” said Ibrahim, who recently passed through the area.
Community leaders, including the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) Chairpersons from the two nearby villages, also welcomed calls for the Government to expedite the upgrading of Jalan Kadazan Mostyn, which connects Kg Mostyn Lama, Kg Sri Bahagia and Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Mostyn.
Last year, the Kunak JKR informed Daily Express that their proposal to upgrade the road had been submitted to their headquarters in Kota Kinabalu, and they are still awaiting a decision.
State Public Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya indicated that the proposal to upgrade the route depends on implementation priorities and budget availability.
Meanwhile, Lahad Datu Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Anil Sandhu, during his visit to Jalan Kadazan Mostyn in September last year, said the allocation to upgrade the road had already been secured through the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) at the federal level. They are just waiting for implementation at the State level.
“We hope the State Government can begin the upgrade of Jalan Kadazan Mostyn as soon as possible since the funding has already been obtained from the Federal Government,” he said.
