PM, wife and state leaders go on a walkabout in Sandakan
SANDAKAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, yesterday mingled with townsfolk during their walkabout here yesterday.
They were accompanied by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and state leaders at Harbour City.
Members of the public took photos and videos of Najib as he walked along Pryer Road.
As part of his walkabout, Najib launched the “I Love Sandakan” landmark logo near Harbour Mall.
He said plans were under way to expand the runway of Sandakan Airport to accommodate bigger aircraft.
“I will launch the runway extension project on my next visit here,” he said.
With the extension, he said, big aircraft, such as an Airbus 330, could land, allowing certain flights, especially from China, to fly here.
He said this would be positive for the economy of the district and boost tourism in Sabah.
Meanwhile, some villagers in Lupak Meluas became homeowners after the RM32 million People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Taman Batu Sapi was launched by Najib earlier yesterday.
Villager Roselina Abdul Majid, 34, said she had been dreaming of owning a house and was happy to be eligible for a PPR home.
“Rent is expensive, and the cheapest is around RM500 a month.
“Coming from the low-income group, it is a burden as I have three children to raise.
“The scheme allows us to own a house and pay less than RM200 a month,” she said.
She was among 10 others in Taman Batu Sapi PPR who received a mock key from Najib at the launch ceremony.
Amir Hamjin Ismail, 68, said his family had been waiting to move into a new house after living in a squatter settlement for over 30 years.
“Although we do not have to pay rent at the settlement, I think a PPR house is better as there are facilities, including a playground and public hall.
“I am sure my wife and six children will enjoy living in a safer environment,” he said.
Adam Amin, 49, said some villagers were homeless due to fire in 1995 and 2013 and had to live in relatives’ houses.
He said PPR was an opportunity for them to own a house.
Taman Batu Sapi PPR has a library, computer room, mosque and kindergarten.