Pulau Banggi in for economic boost

By Haslin Gaffor

KUCHING, March 22 (Bernama) -- Pulau Banggi, inhabited by some 30,000 people, has the potential to be developed as one of Sabah's agricultural and fishery producers, thus enhancing its people’s socio-economy.

Its assemblyman Mohammad Mohamarin said the 440.7 square kilometre island is suitable for planting mangoes, coconuts and pineapples.

Currently, these crops were planted in small quantities for self-sustenance, he told Bernama.

He said the development potential was pointed to  Sabah Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Junz Wong who visited the island recently.

In terms of fisheries, Mohammad, who is also the state Assistant Education and Innovation Minister, said the cage aquaculture sector and ‘balat’ (a type of sea invertebrates) breeding should be expanded through the assistance of state and federal government agencies.

There were also plans to open accommodation centres including homestays to further promote the island's tourism sector which received domestic visitors through the daily ferry service connecting Pulau Banggi and Kudat town, he said.

Pulau Banggi with sub- district status is the third largest island in Malaysia and has 90 villages with residents from the Bonggi, Ubian, Kagayan, Bajau Laut and Suluk ethnic groups.

All the main activities of the island are concentrated in Karakit town which houses the jetty, Banggi district office, government rest house, health clinic, police station as well as a hotel,  beside a homestay run by the villagers.

The island also has several primary schools and one secondary school.

-- BERNAMA