SABAH TO FOCUS ON EQUITABLE ACCESS TO POWER, WATER, BRIDGES FOR RURAL RESIDENTS

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- The Sabah Rural Development Ministry (KPLB) will give primary emphasis to three new initiatives under the Development Vote next year, namely the Alternative Rural Electricity Supply Programme (BELBA), the Alternative Rural Water Supply Programme (BALBA), and the Small Rural Bridge Project (JKLB).

Its minister, Datuk Rubin Balang said the three programmes were specifically designed to improve the quality of life of rural residents through the provision of critical access to energy sources, clean water and safe transportation networks.

“The focus of KPLB is to continue with programmes covering the development of basic infrastructure, strengthening communities and critical district administration, in line with the ministry’s critical role as a leader of rural development in the state.

“To achieve this aim, my ministry remains committed to ensuring that the people of Sabah have equitable access to basic facilities and fair economic opportunities as well as a better quality of life,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2026 for his ministry at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

Rubin said the Sabah government has allocated RM1 million for the implementation of BELBA by focusing on micro hydro electricity and solar hybrid systems to supply small-scale electricity to rural areas outside the reach of the main power grid.

He said BELBA not only provides a stable and environmentally friendly electricity supply for the daily needs of communities, but would also directly contribute to improving the standard of living and overall well-being of rural people.

For next year as well, Rubin said KPLB has allocated RM1 million to implement BALBA with a main focus on the construction of groundwater-based water systems and the new construction of gravity-feed water systems.

“This is important to meet the needs of clean water in rural areas that are outside the Sabah State Water Department's pipeline network. The scope is to provide a clean water supply in areas that face resource constraints and do not yet have comprehensive piped water coverage,” he said.

As for JKLB, Rubin explained that the project will be implemented with an allocation of RM2 million aimed at building new and upgrading small bridges in rural areas that are difficult to access, especially those that cannot be accommodated under the planning of other technical agencies.

He said the scope of the project includes the construction of suspension bridges, vehicle bridges (five-tonne capacity) and low-level crossings, with the primary target being in more critical districts, which is expected to have a direct impact on mobility, economic opportunities and the well-being of rural communities.

Meanwhile, the State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jafry Ariffin said Sabah had recorded 3.09 million tourist arrivals up to October, an increase of 17.4 per cent (pct) compared to the same period the previous year.

He said tourism expenditure was estimated to reach RM7.18 billion at once showing an achievement of 88.4 pct of the targeted 3.5 million visitors for this year.

“This achievement proves that Sabah is on the right track to achieve the state’s tourism target. This significant increase is driven by the number of flights to the state this year, with 98 pct of arrivals via air transport.

“A total of 450 domestic flights with a weekly capacity of 77,880 seats connect Sabah to several states in Malaysia, while in the international sector, there are 15 international destinations with 138 weekly flights with a capacity of 25,463 seats,” he said.

In another development, Sabah Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk James Ratib is committed to strengthening internet access in rural and interior areas in line with efforts to bridge the digital divide in the state.

He said the proposed expansion of Starlink installations next year will be based on Coverage Operational Area (COPA) criteria, such as whether the area has basic facilities, including clinics, schools and mosques.

“The Ministry of Education (MoE) has upgraded from Starlink to fibre optic. It is reported that the installation of 300Mbps PoP (point of presence) by YTL was completed on Dec 1, 2025,” he said.

The Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting will resume tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA