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THE Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) is focusing on enhancing road, water, and electricity infrastructure in Sabah’s rural and remote areas, aiming to improve the quality of life for local residents, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Speaking at the closing of the Sentuhan Kasih Desa@Tawau 2025 programme at the Tawau Sports Complex, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said Sabah’s infrastructure needs substantial development.
Bernama reported today that he expressed confidence that the ongoing collaboration between the MADANI Government and the state government would make these development plans a reality.
"Sabah requires more infrastructure development, and this can only be achieved through strong cooperation between the state and the federal government," Ahmad Zahid said.
"Once the Pan Borneo Highway is completed, further road connections to rural and remote areas, as well as small towns, will need to be developed to enhance connectivity and act as a catalyst for the state's progress."
He acknowledged the need for more roads to benefit rural residents, stressing that the construction and upgrading of roads would remain a top priority for KKDW.
"The issue of public infrastructure, especially for the B40 community, will continue to be a key focus of the MADANI Government, and KKDW will ensure that rural road infrastructure in Sabah remains a priority," he added.
Turning to the issue of water supply, Ahmad Zahid noted that while water provision falls under the jurisdiction of the state government, KKDW plays a crucial role in ensuring that clean water reaches villages and households.
"While water supply is the responsibility of the state, delivering it from the main pipelines to rural areas is under KKDW’s remit. For areas without access to the main pipelines, we will implement gravity-fed systems and tube wells to ensure a steady water supply," Bernama reported him saying.
He highlighted the Rural Water Supply Project (BALB) as a key initiative to address water supply issues. The ministry has already identified critical areas requiring urgent attention for a clean water supply and touched upon efforts to address electricity issues in rural Sabah.
He explained that for remote areas unable to connect to the state power grid, the Rural Electricity Supply Programme (BELB) is being used.
"BELB utilises solar power generation in areas without electricity grid access, storing the energy in batteries for use by rural communities," he explained.
However, the programme faces challenges due to the limited lifespan of current battery technology.
In response, KKDW is taking proactive measures to improve this by sourcing new, longer-lasting battery technology.
"An open tender is being conducted to acquire batteries with improved durability. Previously, the batteries only lasted one to two years, but with advancements in technology, we are working to extend the lifespan of these batteries to five years for the people of Sabah," he said.
In terms of financial commitment, Ahmad Zahid emphasised that the allocation for Sabah, provided by KKDW, represents the highest development budget in Malaysia.
This underscores the MADANI Government's continued dedication to the development of the state and its people.
"This allocation demonstrates the MADANI Government’s steadfast commitment to prioritising Sabah’s growth and addressing the needs of its citizens," he said.
When tabling Budget 2025 last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a development allocation of RM6.7 billion for Sabah, reaffirming the government’s focus on the state’s infrastructure and growth. - February 23, 2025