KALABAKAN: The announcement of major allocations for infrastructure development projects in Sabah, including the Kalabakan area, under Budget 2026 demonstrates the Federal Government’s firm commitment to accelerating regional modernisation and narrowing the development gap between urban and rural areas.
Kalabakan MP Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy said this was evident through the allocation for the construction of the 28-kilometre Kalabakan-Simanggaris Road.
He said the project is among the strategic components of development along the Malaysia-Indonesia border and will serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Sabah’s interior region.
“This new road project will not only create a more efficient land route between Kalabakan and Simanggaris but will also strengthen cross-border economic connectivity, attract foreign direct investment and boost bilateral trade activities,” he said.
He added that Kalabakan’s strategic position as the eastern gateway from Sabah to Indonesia makes the road crucial in reinforcing the logistics network, speeding up the movement of goods and services and positioning Kalabakan as a new economic growth hub along the border.
In addition to road infrastructure development, Andi also welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement on ensuring Sabah’s electricity supply stability through the Southern Link Project.
He said the project, involving an allocation of RM765 million, will see the construction of a high-voltage transmission line expected to enhance the efficiency and reliability of Sabah’s power supply system, including in Kalabakan.
“With the implementation of the Southern Link, we will be able to reduce power disruptions and support industrial development in the eastern region of Sabah,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation for the development allocations channelled to Sabah in the areas of education, skills and human capital – including the expansion of TVET programmes, rural education initiatives and the construction of new educational facilities for the benefit of future generations.
Additionally, he said attention has been given to digital development, entrepreneurship support, and strengthening the rural economy, which will bring long-term benefits to Sabah’s interior communities that have long faced basic challenges such as connectivity, utilities and employment opportunities.