PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has pledged that residents of Pulau Banggi will not be left out of Malaysia’s broader development agenda after unveiling a federal allocation exceeding RM31 million for wide-ranging infrastructure and public service upgrades on the country’s largest island.
The package, channelled through the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister’s Department, will fund projects spanning transport connectivity, healthcare, education, security, defence and public amenities across the remote island off northern Sabah.
Speaking during a gathering with Pulau Banggi residents, Anwar said the MADANI Government had a duty to ensure balanced development regardless of geography.
“The island’s remote location is not an excuse for its people to be left behind. The MADANI Government bears a great responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all citizens regardless of where they live,” he said.
“Continuous efforts will always be made to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to enjoy a better standard of living than before.”
Among the immediate approvals announced was RM1 million for the upgrading of the jetty at Kampung Dogoton, aimed at improving transport access for residents while strengthening operational capabilities for enforcement agencies.
“The government has also agreed to upgrade the jetty in Kampung Dogoton for the use of villagers and enforcement agencies, amounting to RM1 million, which will be carried out by the Prime Minister’s Department’s ICU,” he said.
The broader development drive includes the upgrading of roads and bridges in Kampung Limbuak Laut, Kapitangan, Damaran and Bayangan Laut, enhancement works at the Pulau Banggi police station, and improvements to facilities at the Karakit Health Clinic.
Education and community infrastructure also form part of the initiative, with refurbishment works planned for school hostels on Pulau Banggi and Pulau Balambangan, alongside upgrades to the Karakit public jetty and ferry terminal.
Additional allocations will support security and defence-related projects under the Ministry of Defence as the federal government seeks to strengthen essential services and state presence in the strategically located island region.
Anwar said Pulau Banggi should become a model for inclusive national development under the MADANI framework.
“I want Pulau Banggi to be an example to people who are marginally poor or isolated that this MADANI Government feels responsible for upholding the dignity and capabilities of every citizen,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of a separate road upgrading project linking Kampung Limbuak Laut and Kampung Pengkalan Darat, currently being undertaken by the Sabah Public Works Department at a cost of almost RM44 million.
“This project is very important because good roads will open up economic, educational and health access for the people in the interior of the island,” he stressed.
In addition to the RM31 million package, Anwar announced a further RM1.25 million contribution to be coordinated through agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department.
Among those attending the event were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, representing Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and Banggi assemblyman Datuk Mohammad Mohamarin. - May 9, 2026
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