KOTA BELUD – The Housing and Local Government Ministry through the Local Government Department has approved 741 small-scale development projects for Sabah this year with an allocation of almost RM90 million.
Its minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the number involves 26 local authority projects covering infrastructure, socio-economy, and public facilities.
He said the department was also now implementing three large-scale projects worth RM53 million in Sabah, comprising a multi-level car park at Foh Sang, Luyang at a cost of RM38 million, the rebuilding of the Putatan public market (RM5 million), and building of the Putatan tamu market (RM10 million).
“My ministry remains committed to making its main agenda and focus a success, mainly ‘Malaysia Berdaya Huni’ or ‘Liveable Malaysia’, with sustainable environmental features including the physical infrastructure and environmental quality of public facilities, markets, parks, and transportation.
“These are important in raising the living standard of the local communities, empowering them to build Keluarga Malaysia as a productive and prosperous unit,” he said at the official opening of Bazar Rakyat Kota Belud here today.
On the bazaar, Reezal Merican said at a news conference that the RM24 million project, which started in January 2016 and was handed over to the Kota Belud District Council last February, could hopefully raise the income of small traders and drive the socio-economic development of the local community.
The three-storey building has 148 wet market stalls, 78 handicraft and textile stalls, 26 food stalls, and 60 parking bays, serving over 100,000 Kota Belud residents in getting basic supplies as well as providing business opportunities.
Meanwhile, Reezal Merican also announced the reduced monthly rental rates for Bazar Rakyat stalls to lessen the burden of traders’ given the current economic uncertainty.
For the general goods stalls, the monthly rate will be reduced to RM400 from RM500 and from RM150 to RM100 for vegetable and wet produce stalls for a year, from this November until the next.
“The rental collection is revenue for the Kota Belud District Council, which is reduced from the sum of RM20,000 per month, but the ministry will bear the loss in the interest of the people during these challenging times,” said Reezal Merican.
The ministry also approved the upgrading of the 300m road and car park at a cost of RM300,000 and which was ready last May, besides an allocation of RM500,000 to upgrade the drainage system, awning roofs, and goods storage space, among other things. – Bernama, October 3, 2022
