KOTA KINABALU: The incumbent of the Kiulu State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seat, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, has expressed his readiness to defend the constituency if he continues to gain the trust and support of the people in the area.
According to him, the struggle to develop rural areas like Kiulu needs to be intensified, and he wants to ensure that all plans that have been initiated can be implemented until they achieve their goals.
“If given the trust and if that is also the wish of the people in Kiulu, of course I am always ready.
“For me, what we start needs to be continued until the effort truly bears fruit.
“If given the mandate, of course I will take it as a trust and an opportunity to continue the planning development agenda that we have set in the Kiulu area,” he said in an interview with Astro AWANI recently.
Development Plan: Infrastructure, Tourism and Economy
The Sabah United Party (PBS) Information Chief added that among the development agendas in the Kiulu state constituency that will be focused on are infrastructure facilities, strengthening the rural tourism sector, and economic empowerment based on agriculture.
He said Kiulu is now known as a pioneering rural tourism project that emphasizes local community involvement.
Over the past decade, Joniston explained that the tourism sector in the area has grown rapidly and has had a major impact on the local community.
“Previously, there were only three or four tourist areas in Kiulu. Now, more than 80 local tourism operators are operating and providing employment opportunities to more than 400 residents.
“This shows that our efforts in developing rural tourism have borne fruit and have received recognition not only at the national level, but also internationally,” he said.
Apart from tourism, Joniston stressed that agriculture is now the main focus of Kiulu’s development because the area has fertile land and great potential for development.
Commenting further, he, who is also the Information Chief of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), said that RM1.5 million was allocated last year to build and repair agricultural roads.
With these facilities, residents can cultivate their land more productively for agricultural purposes, thereby increasing the family’s economy, he said.
He added that the initiative was well received by local residents and will continue to be intensified in the coming years to ensure that the results can be enjoyed by all levels of society.
In terms of administration, Joniston informed that Kiulu has now been recognised as a sub-district, and will soon have a secretariat and officers from various government departments and agencies to coordinate local administration and development.
In addition, several physical projects are also planned, including the expansion of Kiulu town, the provision of affordable housing, a mini sports complex, and various other public facilities to meet the needs of the people.
“Several projects have already been implemented, but they need to be intensified. In the next five years, I am confident that all of this can be realised,” he said.
In the 16th Sabah State Election (PRN16), Joniston won the Kiulu state seat with a majority of 1,221 votes on the PBS ticket, defeating five other challengers including Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
The Election Commission (EC) has set polling day for the 17th general election on November 29, while nomination day is on November 15.
-Agency
