New RM288m highway will make travel safer, boost tourism in Kiulu, says Najib

TUARAN: Tourism in Sabah, particularly in Kiulu, near here, and the surrounding areas, will get a boost once the Telipok-KiuluRandagong Highway is opened, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He said the highway, which would make travel safer and more comfortable, would serve as a catalyst for tourism development in Kiulu.

“The focus of the state government on rural tourism, under the guidance of Datuk Joniston Bangkuai as chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, is apt.

“Even without this highway, Kiulu has recorded about 53,000 tourist arrivals annually. I am confident the number will rise to more than 100,000.

“This will raise the income of locals,” he said while inspecting the progress of the highway in Kampung Pukak, Kiulu.

Earlier, he was given a briefing on the 60km Telipok-KiuluRandagong road.

The construction of the road, at a cost of RM288 million, is expected to be completed by the end of March next year. Construction is 65 per cent complete, ahead of schedule by 20 per cent.

The road links Telipok, Kiulu and Randagong in Ranau, and is will have a major impact on rural development in Sabah, providing for easy, fast and comfortable road connectivity.

Present were Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister and Tuaran member of parliament Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau; Sulaman assemblyman Datuk Hajiji Noor; state ministers and senior government officers.

Najib said the Barisan Nasional government listened to the people, and reiterated that if there were rights taken from the Malaysia Agreement 1963, they would be returned.

“The opposition cannot deliver what it promises.

“We are not a government that incites the people to get their attention.

“We don’t main buyuk lie).”

He said the opposition’s claims that the government was going bankrupt did not hold water.

“How can a bankrupt government allocate RM288 million to build a road? Or allocate RM18 billion to build the 1,000km PanBorneo Highway from Sindumin to Tawau?

“Big or small, we will allocate money for the people.”

Najib announced an allocation of RM2.2 million to build a surau and a mosque, and RM2.5 million for St John’s Church parish hall in Tuaran.

Musa said Najib made his presence felt in his visit, the first ever by a prime minister, to the newly minted sub-district here.

In describing the visit to residents in Kampung Pukak, a remote village 8km from the township here, Musa said it was a historic day, and the rustic charm of the sub-district had found a way into Najib’s heart.

Musa approved the area to become as a sub-district under Tuaran two weeks ago.

Musa said BN’s policies had always been people-centric.

“I approved the request (to make Kiulu a sub-district) because it will turn Kiulu into a vibrant place.

“The new road will be a catalyst for development.

“In BN, we talk facts, and Najib has given Sabah the biggest allocations ever since he took over as prime minister.”

Earlier in his speech, Najib struck the right chord with the people here when he offered to return and spend time white-water rafting.

He said he would do so if all BN candidates under the Tuaran parliamentary constituency were given the mandate to serve in the next election.

“I am attracted to this place. This is place is syiok (exciting).

“I want to make an offer, a special offer, to come back here in the next term and raft down this river, but only if all of them win.

“If all of you accept my offer, I will return,” he said to a roar of approval from the crowd.