KOTA MARUDU – Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, today dismissed the notion that the Kota Marudu constituency has gone without any progress although branded as one of the poorest districts in Malaysia.
Ongkili who made his debut in 1994 said the constituency had gone from just 69 shop lots then to a booming township as it is today.
“Kota Marudu only had about 69 shop lots, there were hardly any concrete buildings, and the only asphalt road was between Langkon and the town area.
“Back then, Kota Marudu only had one bank, the Sabah Bank Bhd (now Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd following the merger in 1999.”
“Today, the constituency has an additional three banks – Bank Simpanan Malaysia, Agrobank and Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Bhd, and the number of buildings has increased to 983 shop lots, 1,188 housing areas, and at least 32 long houses in both Tandek and Matunggong.
“The vast development here has also lured big franchises to invest in the area, for instance we have two KFC outlets, three Mr DIY shops, a Marrybrown, Pizza Hut, Tealive, and OldTown White Coffee, to mention some.
“In fact, the Servay Supermarket sits on a 1.61ha land in the heart of Kota Marudu, which is believed to be among the largest in Sabah.”
“People from neighbouring districts like Kudat, Pitas, Ranau and even Kota Belud, to mention some, would travel here to shop, thanks to the upgraded roads like Jalan Marak-Parak and Jalan Gana,” said Ongkili who is now seeking a re-election as Kota Marudu MP for the seventh time.
Ongkili said the “poorest” brand mainly referred to the hill rice cultivators mainly the Songsogon tribe or the low-land communities who now can compete economically with any agricultural district in Sabah.
“To be called as one of the poorest districts in Malaysia does not fit the bill. The people here have the purchasing power, so much so we were able to attract big franchises to invest here.
“To say that there is no development here, I would say Kota Marudu today is a far cry from what it was before in the 1990s.
“All these are developments which did not come by chance, we had it all properly planned.
“What we have achieved so far are the desires of the people,” he said.
Ongkili also left it to the electorate to decide on his fate, adding: “This time around (15th general election), there were worries that I’ve been here too long.
“But (Tun Dr) Mahathir (Mohamed) is 97, I’m only 69. I offer based on my electorates, to serve the people. That is what is in our hearts, we’re sincere to become a vessel for the development of the area,” said Ongkili.
As for his health, Ongkili reassured that he had gotten a clean sheet from the doctors, and that he is fit to contest in the election.
“They (doctors) said I’m in perfect health, but I still need to take care of my body and get enough rest. But I think, the zeal to serve gives you a lot of energy.
“I believe it is an uphill task, but I am confident the rakyat will support the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah for the good of the state and the people,” he said.
After winning the Langkon state seat, Ongkili repeated his victorious streak twice for the Tandek state seat in 1999 and 2004.
In 1995, Ongkili was also fielded for the Kota Marudu parliamentary seat (then Bandau), when he went against his uncle Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan. The former beat Kitingan with a majority of 4,865, after garnering 10,716 votes.
He retained his parliamentary seat for the next five consecutive elections in 1999, 2004, 2008, 2013 and 2018.
“For me, after nearly three decades here, I have proved to the people that I have contributed my part to transform Kota Marudu to what it is today.
“Expectations of the electorates are now very high. Those who will take it (seat) from me obviously need to do many times better than me.”
“Having said that, my eventual desire is to assist other new leaders do a better job than what I and my team have done for Kota Marudu,” Ongkili concluded. – The Vibes, November 16, 2022
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