Despite tourism billions, Sabah villages stuck with dilapidated bridges, says Kota Belud Umno chief

The Star

14-05-2025

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah may be raking in billions from tourism, but some visitors' hotspots in community villages are still relying on old, dilapidated wooden bridges, says Azuwan Marjan Norjan (pic).
The Kota Belud Umno chief noted that the state recorded RM2.13bil in tourism revenue between January and March this year alone, with nearly a million visitor arrivals in the first quarter, including over 150,000 from China.
'This is supposedly proof that the state's tourism industry is on solid ground. However, some community-based tourism villages continue to be left behind with poor basic infrastructure,' he said.
Azuwan pointed out that several community tourism spots still rely on old, narrow wooden bridges for access by both villagers and visitors.
'There are places where people are forced to walk in because tour buses cannot enter due to the bridge's size and its severely deteriorated condition,' he said.
Ironically, he noted, these very places are frequently featured in state tourism campaigns.
'If Sabah can earn billions from timber and billions more from tourism in just three months, is it so difficult to provide a safe concrete bridge? Is it too much to fix access roads to these growing community destinations?' he asked.
Azuwan stressed that the people are not asking for multi-million ringgit investments.
'They are only asking for safe and usable access routes for visitors. This is not about politics. It is about dignity and fairness for communities who are also contributing to the state's revenue,' he added.
Azuwan added that if Sabah is to be promoted as a world-class destination, its infrastructure must reflect that level of commitment.