RANAU: Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Abidin Madingkir called on the people here to give a new mandate to the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government in order to maintain political stability in the State of Sabah.
“Political stability is very important to maintain the development momentum that we have enjoyed for the past five years. We must support the SMJ 2.0 development plan because it is a development plan that benefits the people.
“As the representative of the Paginatan, I am very proud that the people of Paginatan are always behind us and we have achieved many successes by working together with the people of Paginatan, government employees, UPPM employees, and also the Association of Customary Holders of the Paginatan,” he said.
According to him, among the most significant achievements are; the issuance of more than 1,000 land grants through the Pantas Program which involves the measurement of more than 6,000 acres of land; the removal of Kg Ponulangon, Walou and Kg Kanawahon from the forest reserve; the launch of Pekan Baru Paginatan which was recently completed by the Chief Minister of Sabah as proof of the government’s commitment to developing the village area; and increasing the quota for the posts of Village Head and JKKK Chairman in several villages that have been established.
“In continuation of the Pantas Program, we will hold discussions with PPHT Ranau with the residents of Kg Tinanom, Kg Kodop Baru and Kg Kigiwit on 29 September 2025 for the implementation of the Pantas Program.
“We are committed to continuing this Pantas Program because we are very aware that having a land grant is very meaningful and valuable to us.
“Therefore, strong support from all the people of Paginatan is very much needed for the continuity of the planned development,” he said.
Abidin said this when officiating the Pondok Tagal Kg. Matupang and also the Inauguration of the Tamu Tagal Matupang which was held here recently.
He thanked and congratulated the organizers as well as the people of Kg Matupang for the village community’s initiative to establish not only the Tagal Sungai but the Tamu Mingguan in the Tagal Area Compound.
“The Tagal system is very important for preserving river life and the village’s initiative to preserve the river through the Tagal system is highly commendable.
“The Tamu is also very important to increase the income of the villagers. All of this is a way to attract tourists and introduce Kg Matupang to domestic and foreign visitors,” he said.
Abidin suggested that the Tagal Committee apply for allocations from the Ministry of Tourism to get assistance in building huts, toilets and other necessities in the Tagal area.
He also suggested involving the youth and village community in Tagal activities because cooperation among the villagers is very important for the success of every activity carried out by the Tagal Committee.
At the ceremony, Abidin approved the purchase of sports jerseys for the youth of Kg Matupang. Regarding other applications for improvements to the Tagal area, he said, they will be made after the alignment of the Pan Borneo Highway is finalized.
Also present were Special Officer Datuk Abidin Madingkir, Juis Konsuling, CDO Jipili Sigal, all KAN DUN Paginatan, Head of Wiranita Star Paginatan, Siti Nurjana Abas, and leaders of the surrounding village community.