LAHAD DATU: Residents of Tanjung Labian, who are mostly fishermen and farmers, have proposed that the government build a coastal road from Dengan to Tambisan in efforts to improve their socio-economy.
Tanjung Labian Zone Community chief Assafal Alian, 49, said this would allow residents of at least 13 villages to easily market their farm produce or fish.
“This road will stimulate coastal development in eastern Sabah, in line with the objectives of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) that include economic, socio-cultural and educational development,” he told Bernama.
He said without a coastal road, the majority of the villagers had to rely on the road in the Felda Sahabat area to market their produce or to get to Lahad Datu town.
For instance, he said, Tanjung Labian’s population of 5,000 had to enter Felda Sahabat and use the road in the plantation if they wished to get to Lahad Datu town, which is about 150 kilometres away.
In February, Tanjung Labian saw a gun battle between Malaysian security forces and a group of intruding militants from southern Philippines.
Assafal said the road, if built, could also attract foreign investments into industries such as marine resources, tourism and new township development.
He noted that eastern Sabah was rich in marine resources and said to have the largest supply of yellow-fin tuna, so it was suitable for the fishery and aquaculture industry.
“Tanjung Labian can also have a Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex for Lahad Datu because only Sandakan, Semporna and Tawau have CIQ facilities in eastern Sabah.
“Tanjung Labian is the nearest location to Bongou and Tawi-Tawi in southern Philippines, and a CIQ in Tanjung Labian can promote trade across the border between southern Philippines and Lahad Datu.
“The CIQ facility will also facilitate monitoring by the authorities of the entry of foreigners into Sabah through Lahad Datu. It is better for foreigners to enter Sabah legally as it will prevent many problems,” he added.
Therefore, Assafal proposed the coastal road be built to spur socio-economic, cultural and educational development in the area, and to
contribute towards securing eastern Sabah as provided under Esscom’s development plan. — Bernama