The federal government will allocate RM2.98 billion to carry out various development projects in Sabah next year.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said among the projects were for  boosting electricity supply (RM400 million), clean water supply (RM150 million) and building roads to connect rural areas (RM31.3 million).

Najib said the Agropolitan Kota Belud-Pitas project would also be developed with an allocation of RM66 million besides public housing projects in Putatan and Sandakan (RM65 million).

"Among the other projects are a water treatment plant in Semporna (RM30 million), Tambunan Community College and Teachers Training Institute, Tuaran Campus (RM32 million) and numerous health projects," he said before a gathering  of more than 50,000 people who had turned up for the 'Promises Fulfilled' event at the Kudat Sports Complex today.

He said the government had also allocated RM3.06 million for the construction of shophouses in Karakit, Pulau Banggi, RM3.5 million for public housing in Jalan Apa, Kudat (RM3.5 million).

400k BR1M recipients

He also announced that facilities at the Kudat Hospital would be upgraded.

Najib also said the government would be distributing Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia to 408,927 households in Sabah including 20,399 in Kudat, not including the singles group aged 21 years and above earning less than RM2,000 a month.

"Regardless whether the general election is held this year or next year, this promise will definitely be met besides the building of a 1Malaysia Clinic in Kudat and the Kudat Maju Shopping Centre," he said, while also suggesting that the Employees Provident Fund office be retained in Kudat.

He said all the projects in question were implemented as an ongoing effort to prosper and develop Sabah, the Land below the Wind.

Soon after launching the programme, the prime minister was also feted to a luncheon at the residence of the Father of Independence and Development of Sabah, the late Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun, which is also dubbed 'Tun Mustapha's Palace'.

Also present was his wife Rosmah Mansor and Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.

- Bernama