Musa’s nod for Kiulu sub-district plan
KIULU: Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman announced that the Kiulu constituency here will be upgraded to a sub-district, in recognition of its reputation as a popular tourist destination and vibrant economy.
“It is only right for me to approve this request by your elected representatives. It is high time to do so because Kiulu has progressed greatly,” he said at an event to hand over native land titles under the Sabah Native Land Services programme or Pantas.
Earlier, Tuaran member of parliament Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau and Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, in their speeches, said the constituency had long waited to be declared a sub-district, an elevation that would benefit the 50,000-odd population.
Musa said with the status, Kiulu would see more progress as key departments would be set up to reach out to the people, who now had to travel to Tuaran, where the district office is located. The adjacent township of Tamparuli is also a sub-district under Tuaran.
Musa, who earlier went on a walkabout, as well as have breakfast at the weekly market here, also approved the appointment of a district native chief for the constituency to oversee matters concerning the natives.
“This is the benefit of having a Barisan Nasional team looking after the needs of the people,” he said, citing that Tangau, who is also science, technology and innovation minister, Bangkuai and Sulaman assemblyman and Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor had consistently met and discussed ways to help the people.
Bangkuai said the announcement by Musa was a major “game-changer” for the constituency as it would give people access to key departments and agencies, apart from allowing for more comprehensive development programmes to be implemented.
“For us, the wait is over,” he said.
The request for the Kiulu constituency to be elevated to a subdistrict was made more than 20 years ago by the late Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Gisin Lombut and his predecessor, Datuk Louis Rampas.
“With a sub-district, there will be an assistant district officer stationed here and the key departments will have representatives, too.
“Things can only get better from here,” he said after the handover of titles.