22-05-2025
Speed up Kunak District Office complex: Umno
Published on: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Published on: Thu, May 22, 2025
By: Ibrahim Tabir Text Size: The proposed site for the new building. KUNAK: The government has been urged to expedite the implementation of previously approved development projects, including the long-delayed construction of the new Kunak District Office complex. Barisan Nasional Youth Exco, Dato' Sri Anil Sandhu, said the project — involving 8.01 acres (3.242 hectares) of state land near Kunak Spur Road — had been allocated specifically for the development of a new Kunak District Office. Anil, who is also the Umno Lahad Datu Youth Chief, said the proposal was approved by the state government in 2017 during the tenure of the late Kunak Assemblyman, Datuk Nilwan Kabang. 'However, following the 2018 general election and a change in state leadership, the project faced disruption due to alleged interference by the then Kunak Assemblyman from Parti Warisan,' he said. 'Despite the availability of funds at the time, political polemics halted the project. I was informed that contractors who had already begun site levelling work suffered financial losses due to the unexpected delays,' Anil told the media on Tuesday. He stressed that not only should the District Office project proceed, but all other development initiatives in Kunak that had previously been approved should also move forward without further postponement.
Advertisement 'The project site is overgrown with secondary forest, ruining the original landscape and symbolizing neglect,' he said. Anil emphasized that development projects should not be derailed by political changes, arguing that political polemics only hinder progress and hurt the people. 'Regardless of a leader's political affiliation, development projects that benefit the people and the state of Sabah should not be politicized,' he said. He urged the current GRS-PH Plus government not to be influenced by narrow-minded political sentiments propagated by certain individuals for personal gain. Citing another example, Anil pointed to the delayed construction of the new Kunak branch of the State Library, which he claimed was similarly stalled after the 2018 change in government due to political interference. 'There is nothing wrong with continuing approved projects from the previous administration if they are beneficial to the people. We will never progress if we keep fighting among ourselves,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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