SANDAKAN – Sandakan’s dream of achieving city status will become a reality soon, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
“If it’s all systems go, Sandakan will be declared a city on February 22, 2022,” he told a press conference at the Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) today.
The move will attract more tourists to the area, he said.
“This new city (status) will surely increase economic activities in Sandakan.
“But, all this needs proper and thorough planning.
“We have to ensure the sustainability of the city, so that it will always be lively.
“We also have to transform Sandakan for it to be ready to accept guests… perhaps a new golf course, a five-star hospital or a theme park… tourists will surely come.
“I have asked state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin to meet Sandakan’s tour operators to discuss ways to enhance their facilities. They may have new ideas on how to attract tourists.
“Even though this plan is not new, I am confident SMC will be able to achieve its target this time.
“It is well on its way to meet the basic criteria of a more than 500,000 population and more than RM100 million in income per year.”
SMC, which oversees the second-largest urban centre in Sabah after Kota Kinabalu, has for the past 10 years aspired to attain city status. –The Vibes, April 9, 2021
