WARISAN president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said Kalabakan’s fertile land and strategic location can drive food security and economic growth if his party returns to power.
“Kalabakan has fertile land, some of the most fertile in Tawau. Previously, I identified nearly 30,000 hectares for food security—various crops, not just hill paddy but also vegetables. We even started planting malia in one area.
“This can generate returns for the country and the people,” he said at a Ramadan event in Merotai, Tawau.
He said job creation, not handouts, should be the priority.
“There is no use giving financial aid if people remain unemployed. Of course, assistance is helpful, but what makes a real difference is investment that creates jobs.
“If we use hundreds of millions to build factories, the local community will have work. They will earn a salary every month, not just receive a one-time handout,” he said.
Shafie also called for better infrastructure to attract investors.
“We must speed up these projects. When I was an MP, I submitted applications for this. Kalabakan and Tawau are connected to the Sulawesi Sea, a key trade route.
“If we improve our ports, shipping lanes from Australia and New Zealand can pass through here instead of the Strait of Malacca,” he said.
He warned that high costs could drive investors away.
“We cannot just invite investors without providing what they need—water, electricity, good roads, and skilled workers.
“If operational costs are too high—because of expensive rental, electricity, and water—then they will struggle to compete. Kalabakan is a promising area, but we need to make it attractive to investors,” he said.
Shafie cited an example of past efforts under Warisan.
“I started small before. In Tawau, we set up a cooking oil plant, and now 40 people work there, earning RM2,000 to RM3,000 per month.
"Wouldn’t that be better than just giving out cash aid?” he said. - March 13, 2025
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