THE government has approved 49 development projects worth RM2.28 billion in Sandakan, of which RM183 million will be allocated this year, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“The federal government has allocated sufficient allocation for the Sandakan district so its economic growth will continue to expand,” he said in a statement today, ahead of this Saturday’s nomination day for the Sandakan parliamentary seat.

Lim said the government will continue to ensure development in Sandakan for the sake of the people’s welfare. 

Sandakan district with a population of 400,000 that includes the Sandakan, Batu Sapi and Libaran parliamentary constituencies, will continue to get the best from the government, he added.

Among the projects being undertaken in Sandakan are flood mitigation at Sungai Anip estimated to cost RM40 million and the expansion of Sandakan airport at RM80 million.

The airport expansion will see the extension of the runway as well as improving the apron area, said Lim, who is also the DAP secretary-general.

“Apart from that, a few other projects to improve the economic status of Sandakan are also in the pipeline, including those related to oil, palm oil and public transportation.”

The Sandakan constituency fell vacant after the death of its incumbent member of parliament Stephen Wong Tien Fatt, of DAP, who was also Sabah health and people’s well-being minister, on March 28.

The Election Commission has fixed April 27 as nomination day, while polling will be on May 11. Early voting is on May 7.

Sandakan has 39,777 registered voters comprising 49% Chinese, Muslim Bumiputeras (44%) and non-Muslim Bumiputeras (6%).

Sabah DAP is set to name its candidate on behalf of ruling Pakatan Harapan pact to contest the seat

Barisan Nasional announced yesterday that it would not field any candidate in the Sandakan by-election but state opposition Parti Bersatu Sabah said it would run against Pakatan Harapan. – April 23, 2019