KM: Kudat berpotensi jadi Hab Ekonomi Biru serantau (Dwibahasa)
KUDAT: Kudat berpotensi dibangunkan sebagai Hab Ekonomi Biru serantau berasaskan kedudukan strategik dan kekayaan sumber marinnya, kata Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
Beliau berkata, aspirasi itu sedang digerakkan menerusi cadangan pembangunan Taman Perindustrian Ekonomi Biru (BEIP) yang diterajui Perbadanan Pembangunan Ekonomi Sabah (SEDCO) dalam tempoh Rancangan Malaysia Ke-13 (RMK-13).
Katanya, sebagai langkah awal pelan induk bagi kawasan seluas 1,205 ekar milik SEDCO di Kampung Limau-Limauan dan Perapat Laut sedang disediakan, manakala 3,129 ekar lagi di Matunggung, Banggi dan Tanjong Kapor dikenal pasti sebagai kawasan rizab pembangunan projek berkenaan.
“Berkonsepkan pembangunan maritim dan teknologi hijau, projek ini memberi tumpuan kepada industri makanan laut, logistik perdagangan serta kegiatan ekonomi berasaskan laut, termasuk cadangan pembinaan pelabuhan sebagai zon perdagangan serantau.
“Kedudukan Kudat memberikan kelebihan untuk memperluas hubungan perdagangan dengan pasaran China, Korea Selatan, Jepun dan Filipina,” katanya ketika berucap merasmikan Program Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat, Karnival Jom Malaysia, Jualan Rahmah MADANI dan Perkhidmatan Komuniti Bergerak (MCS) Edisi DUN Tanjong Kapor di Dataran Tomborungus, di sini, malam ini.
Hajiji berkata, pengukuhan industri perikanan laut dalam serta penaiktarafan bagang di pesisir pantai turut diberi perhatian supaya masyarakat setempat dapat mengambil bahagian dalam perkembangan ekonomi berkenaan.
Katanya, pembangunan itu memerlukan dukungan dasar, peruntukan serta infrastruktur yang kukuh menerusi kerjasama Kerajaan Negeri dan Persekutuan, dengan kelestarian alam sekitar serta pemuliharaan marin terus menjadi asas pelaksanaannya.
Beliau berkata, Kudat kaya dengan keindahan alam, khazanah budaya serta kreativiti masyarakat yang diterjemahkan melalui produk tempatan, termasuk kraf tangan, hasil pertanian, perikanan dan kegiatan pelancongan.
“Berlandaskan kekuatan ini, kita mahu masyarakat Kudat memperoleh akses yang lebih luas kepada perkhidmatan kerajaan, sokongan keusahawanan dan peluang pemasaran bagi meningkatkan kesejahteraan serta pendapatan mereka,” katanya.
Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, beliau menyambut baik Belanjawan 2027 yang dibentangkan Perdana Menteri merangkap Menteri Kewangan, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, pada 9 Oktober lalu, dengan Sabah menerima peruntukan Persekutuan RM18.7 bilion bagi tahun depan berbanding RM17.6 bilion tahun ini.
Katanya, peningkatan peruntukan itu memberi dukungan penting kepada usaha memperkukuh kemudahan asas, meningkatkan penyampaian perkhidmatan dan menyediakan landasan bagi pertumbuhan ekonomi negeri.
Beliau berkata, Belanjawan 2027 menyediakan RM3.3 bilion bagi pembangunan jalan raya di Sabah dan Sarawak, selain RM350 juta untuk penyelenggaraan jalan Persekutuan, bagi melengkapi usaha menangani isu legasi kemudahan asas, khususnya jalan raya, air dan elektrik.
Hajiji berkata, Kerajaan Negeri sedang meneliti keperluan semasa rakyat, kemampuan kewangan negeri serta kesinambungan pembangunan di bawah Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 bagi tempoh 2026 hingga 2030.
Katanya, hasil Sabah kekal kukuh dengan kutipan RM6.96 bilion pada 2022, RM6.97 bilion pada 2023, RM6.87 bilion pada 2024 dan RM6.76 bilion pada 2025, berbanding sekitar RM4 bilion pada 2019.
“Justeru, kita akan terus memperkemas kutipan, mempelbagaikan sumber hasil dan mengurus perbelanjaan secara berhemah bagi memastikan kedudukan kewangan negeri kekal kukuh. Saya optimis hasil negeri bagi tahun 2026 mampu melepasi paras RM7 bilion,” katanya.
Sementara itu Hajiji berkata, program yang menggabungkan empat komponen yang saling melengkapi, iaitu Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat, Karnival Jom Malaysia, Jualan Rahmah MADANI dan MCS.
Katanya, Program itu menyantuni kebajikan masyarakat, memperluas promosi dan pemasaran produk tempatan, meringankan kos sara hidup serta mendekatkan perkhidmatan kerajaan kepada rakyat.
Beliau turut menyeru usahawan memanfaatkan peluang yang tersedia untuk meningkatkan daya saing, memperkukuh penjenamaan dan memperluas pasaran produk masing-masing, selain mengajak masyarakat menyokong produk tempatan bagi membantu mengembangkan perniagaan, menjana pendapatan dan membuka peluang pekerjaan kepada rakyat.
Tamat
KUDAT: Kudat has the potential to be developed into a regional Blue Economy hub, capitalising on its strategic location and abundant marine resources, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
He said this aspiration was being pursued through the proposed development of the Blue Economy Industrial Park (BEIP), spearheaded by the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
As an initial step, SEDCO is preparing a master plan for a 1,205-acre site in Kampung Limau-Limauan and Perapat Laut, while another 3,129 acres in Matunggung, Banggi and Tanjong Kapor have been identified as reserve areas for the project's future development.
"Based on maritime development and green technology concepts, the project will focus on the seafood industry, trade logistics and marine-based economic activities, including a proposed port to serve as a regional trading zone.
"Kudat's strategic location provides an advantage in expanding trade links with markets in China, South Korea, Japan and the Philippines," he said when officiating the Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat Programme, Jom Malaysia Carnival, Jualan Rahmah MADANI and Mobile Community Services (MCS) for the Tanjong Kapor constituency at Dataran Tomborungus here tonight.
Hajiji said attention was also being given to strengthening the deep-sea fishing industry and upgrading offshore fishing platforms along the coast to enable local communities to participate in the emerging economic opportunities.
He said the development would require strong policy support, funding and infrastructure through cooperation between the State and Federal Governments, with environmental sustainability and marine conservation remaining fundamental to its implementation.
He said Kudat is blessed with natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and a creative community, reflected in its local products, including handicrafts, agricultural produce, fisheries, and tourism activities.
"Building on these strengths, we want the people of Kudat to have greater access to government services, entrepreneurial support and marketing opportunities to improve their well-being and income," he said.
On a related matter, Hajiji welcomed the National 2027 Budget, tabled by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 9, which saw Sabah receiving a Federal allocation of RM18.7 billion for next year, compared with RM17.6 billion this year.
He said the increased allocation would support efforts to strengthen basic infrastructure, improve service delivery, and lay the foundation for the State's economic growth.
He said the RM3.3 billion allocation in the 2027 Budget for road development in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as RM350 million for the maintenance of Federal roads, complements efforts to address longstanding basic infrastructure issues, particularly roads, water and electricity supply.
Hajiji said the State Government was reviewing the people's current needs, the State's financial capacity and the continuity of development under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 development roadmap for 2026 to 2030.
He said Sabah's revenue remained strong, with collections of RM6.96 billion in 2022, RM6.97 billion in 2023, RM6.87 billion in 2024 and RM6.76 billion in 2025, compared with around RM4 billion in 2019.
"Therefore, we will continue to improve revenue collection, diversify revenue sources and manage expenditure prudently to ensure the State's financial position remains strong.
"I am optimistic that Sabah's revenue for 2026 can surpass the RM7 billion mark," he said.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said the programme brought together four complementary components, namely Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat, Jom Malaysia Carnival, Jualan Rahmah MADANI and MCS.
He said the programme aimed to address community welfare needs, expand the promotion and marketing of local products, ease the cost of living and bring government services closer to the people.
He also urged entrepreneurs to seize available opportunities to boost competitiveness, strengthen branding and expand markets for their products.
Hajiji also encouraged the public to support local products to help businesses grow, generate income, and create employment opportunities.
Ends