SEAFOOD-BASED INDUSTRIAL ZONE: THE DREAM OF PH CANDIDATE IN BANDAU

By Lucia Terey Anak John

KOTA MARUDU, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- The Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Bandau state seat, Zaidi Jatil, aims to develop an agriculture-and marine-based industrial zone in the district to drive local economic growth.

He said the construction of seafood processing factories, such as those for anchovies and mussels, would stabilise the local commodity market chain, which was currently facing oversupply and price volatility.

He said the strategic initiative would also reduce reliance on the limited markets in Kota Marudu and Kota Kinabalu, while creating more job opportunities for local youths.

"Kota Marudu is known for its anchovy and mussel production, but the market is limited. When oversupply occurs, prices drop further. If there are seafood processing factories here, demand will increase and support local fishermen," he told Bernama.

Zaidi said strategic areas such as Tanjung Batu and Marasinsim had been identified as having strong potential for industrial development, targeting investors, including companies from Peninsular Malaysia and abroad.

"We can assure that these investing companies will prioritise hiring local residents because investment opportunities have been provided, so the condition is that job opportunities must first be given to Bandau residents," he said.

Currently, the district's only primary industry is a palm oil mill, with most workers from outside the district.

If given the mandate in the 17th Sabah State Election, Zaidi also aims to implement the Bandau People's Farm Project, which will open opportunities for youths from low-income families to participate in livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism sectors.

Facing a 13-cornered contest in this election, he has also pledged to enhance sports facilities to produce more talented athletes from the district and provide a more systematic talent development pipeline if elected.

Bandau, located about 124 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, is one of the state constituencies in the Kota Marudu parliamentary constituency, along with Matunggong and Tandek.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah State Election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php

N06: BANDAU: SABAH: 27,390 voters

1. Datuk Redonah Bahanda (GRS-Gagasan Rakyat)
2. Suzie Salapan (UPKO)
3. Datuk Dr Maijol Mahap (Independent)
4. Willey Lampaki (BN-UMNO)
5. Rizham Abd Rahman (Warisan)
6. Sitti Haima Jailani (PKS)
7. Sauting Rabuyot (PIS)
8. Jaiping Minsu (KDM)
9. Norman Tulang (Aspirasi)
10. Shirewin Davin Patrick @ Joman (STAR)
11. Robbin Banati (PBK)
12. Zaidi Jatil (PH-PKR)
13. Jolius Majawai (Independent)

(2020 result: Datuk Wetrom @ Mohd Fikri Bahanda, PN-Bersatu, Majority: 3,303)

-- BERNAMA