Shafie (second left) giving angpow to senior citizens at the Chinese New Year open house. -Bernama photo
TAWAU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has requested the Ministry of Local Government and Housing and Tawau Municipal Council to address the Sabindo illegal building issue as soon as possible in order for the area to be developed.
Shafie said there was already a court decision for the illegal building to be torn down but there is a slight problem with the former building owner.
“Call the owners, call the consultants, do not argue, (we discuss). After all, how will the owners develop the buildings? They can’t even build them and the buildings are already dilapidated.
“The court has made a decision to demolish (the buildings), but we have some problems with the owners,” he told reporters after attending the Chinese New Year open house organised by the Sri Tanjong State Assembly constituency here yesterday.
“I asked the Tawau Municipal Council president and Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Jaujan Sambakong to overcome it as soon as possible so that the area can be developed,” he added.
Shafie also wanted the Tawau Airport to be upgraded to provide better facilities in line with the influx of tourists.
“I want the upgrade basically in the congested tourist entry-exit area and, if possible, storage for prawns to be kept in refrigerators,” he said.
Earlier, the Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, Datuk Jimmy Wong Sze Phin, in his speech at the event, urged the Chief Minister to look into several issues, including demolishing dilapidated and idle buildings in Sabindo and upgrading the Tawau Airport, which has exceeded its capacity to accommodate tourists.
Wong also asked that the construction of the Cinta Mata dam be expedited to overcome the water problem faced by Tawau residents.