Formation of Malaysia brings development to Sandakan

SANDAKAN: The Malaysia Day celebration on Saturday is significant to the development of Sandakan, which is located on the east of Sabah.
Once dubbed 'Little Hong Kong', the district's rapid development was contributed by commitment from the Sabah Government and the Federal Government, besides the struggle of independence fighters through the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.
Chan Tzun Hei, a youth activist described the various developments which could be seen and felt by the Sandakan community, without realisation.
He said as a Sandakan native, the formation of Malaysia involving the union of 13 states in the Malaysian Federation became the important factor to the state and country's development.
He said the federal government which was formed through the unification had established close cooperation with all states to implement development.

"The current Sandakan development did not come into existence in the blink of an eye but was the result of struggles of both the state and federal leaders, with support from the Sandakan community," he told Bernama here today.
Chan, who is Sandakan's Malaysia Youth Movement adviser, wants continuous efforts for Sandakan's development for the sake of the next generation.
"We should not be satisfied and must always be far-sighted," he said, adding that among the developments in Sandakan were the Harbour Square and Harbour Mall, shopping malls and the opening of the Fourpoint By Sherton, the district's first four-star hotel.
He said development was also boosted by a few new satellite towns which opened up business and career opportunities, including Bandar IJM Utama in Batu 6, Bandar Prima and Mid Town in Batu 4.

Chan said the more significant development projects in Sandakan were the Integrated Express Bus Terminal and the New Sandakan City which were still under construction.
He said the construction of Jalan Lintas Utara from Batu 7 until Batu 2 was also the main factor to the Sandakan development as it overcame traffic congestion in Jalan Utara.
The opening of Jalan Lintas Utara has also witnessed development along the road, including new residential areas and satellite towns.
Chan said the new residential areas included Taman Nasa Lim, Casa San Uno, Harmoni and the 1Malaysia People's Housing (PR1MA), while the satellite towns comprised Bandar Letat Jaya, Bandar Industri Ringan Letat Jaya, SEDCO Fasa 3 and Mid Town.
Besides that, he added, the upgrading project involving the Sandakan Airport had provided convenience facilities for the people to travel to Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur and Tawau by air transport.

At the same time, Chan said the Sandakan Airport had also encouraged tourism activities in the district which was well-known by its natural beauty, wildlife and marine.
He said the Sepilok Orang Utan Conservation Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Pulau Penyu Park had attracted a large number of tourists.
Therefore, as a Sandakan native, he was grateful and thankful for the development achieved through the commitment of the Sabah Government and the Federal Government. — Bernama