Tawau will be transformed into seafood hub — Shafie

KOTA KINABALU: Tawau will be transformed into a seafood hub, with Kunak and Semporna being among the prime suppliers of seafood, said Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

He said a seafood centre would not only attract more tourists to the region but surplus catch could be exported throughout the region.

These plans would also create thousands of job opportunities for the unemployed youths in the area, and they need not have to go to Malaya or even Australia or South Korea for employment, he said.

Shafie who is campaigning in Sabah’s east coast, said he will create a mini district in Kalabakan if Warisan is given the mandate.

“Not only that, but I promise that the Warisan government will create in Kalabakan the biggest fruit valley in the region. All kinds of exotic local fruits will be planted for local consumption as well as for export,” said the economist by training.

Shafie, who is defending Semporna and also contesting the State seat of Senallang for the first time, said he now wants to become Chief Minister.

On Monday night when speaking at a gathering in Merotai, Shafie said a Warisan government would be people centric and Sabah’s rich natural resource would be for all people.

He would ensure that money gained from government-linked companies would be ploughed back to the people and Yayasan Sabah would return to its core principle of providing educational aid to the people.

“All deserving students who cannot afford a university education will be provided with Yayasan Sabah scholarships or easy-term loans as this was why the foundation was set up – for the people,” he said.

Shafie later received 450 Warisan membership forms from people who quit BN parties as well as opposition supporters.

At a gathering in Kunak, Norazlinah Arif, the Warisan candidate for Kunak said the people of the district were fed up with an absentee assemblyman who spent most of his time in the state capital, leaving his constituents to fend for themselves.

“Kunak lacks so many things like regular water supply and electricity,” Norazlinah said.

Shafie later continued on his campaign trail to Silam and Tungku, before heading to Sukau and Kinabatangan

Shafie (second right) receives 450 membership applications to join Warisan. At right is Warisan candidate forTanjung Batu,Ismail Senang and at extreme left is Ma’mun Sulaiman, Warisan candidate for Kalabakan.