Timely for dept to focus on rural devt — Jaujan

KOTA KINABALU: It is timely for the Sabah Town and Regional Planning Department to focus on rural development, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Jaujan Sambokong.

“Development of housing and commercial buildings has been very active in the urban areas, causing youth to leave their hometowns and to look for jobs in the city.

“We want this to change. We want our youth to come back to their respective villages not only to be part of the development but also to create opportunities to others.

“My proposal is to give housing to the people in the rural areas and building something for the small and medium enterprises to grow,” he said.

Jaujan, who is also Local Government and Housing Minister, said this to reporters after attending a Hari Raya open house at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens yesterday.

Asked whether the department's name would be changed into Town and Country Planning Department, Jaujan said there was no plan for it.

“I don't think we should change the name of the department because the role of the department is still the same.

“The only change we want to do is to expand its responsibility, not only planning for urban development but also the rural areas,” he added.