Once Remote, Pulau Banggi Now Thrives With Roads, Internet And New Facilities

By Arthur Edward

KUDAT, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Rapid development has boosted the economy of Pulau Banggi, Malaysia’s largest island located about 70 kilometres from Kudat on the mainland, accessible only by ferry or speedboat.

A recent Bernama check found that what was once a forested area with no basic amenities has undergone a comprehensive transformation since Sabah became part of Malaysia.

Infrastructure such as paved roads, internet access in most areas, as well as improved electricity and water supply have made daily life on the island easier and more harmonious.

Razif Sarabi, 40, from the Development Unit of the Banggi Sub-District Office, said official data shows that the island is home to about 15,000 residents whose main economic activities include fishing, oil palm and rubber.

“The majority of residents here are from the Ubian, Dusun Banggi, Kegayan, Suluk and Bajau communities. The island covers an area of 126,570 acres and, being the northernmost part of Sabah, was officially declared a district in 1975,” he told Bernama.

Razif added that the island now has 46 villages and 15 schools, including a secondary school serving the local population.

Having served on the island for 17 years, he recalled that when he first started, there were no paved roads, and residents faced major challenges in getting around.

“At that time, there was no clean water supply and no electricity. These issues meant the quality of life was stagnant, with more than 70 per cent of residents categorised as poor,” he said.

However, he noted that year by year, things have improved with more basic infrastructure in place, even if still not entirely sufficient.

In the early 2000s, he said, roads were not paved and were impassable during the rainy season, making it difficult for residents to transport agricultural produce for sale elsewhere.

“Internet was also a challenge — people used to climb trees or hills to get a signal. Now we can access the internet easily from home. There are about 15 kilometres of paved roads from Karakit to nearby villages,” he said.

He added that new facilities have also been built for residents, including a jetty and fish market in Karakit completed this year, both of which are vital for the local community.

-- BERNAMA