Mustapha giving a shot at making Batik canting from clay during the UpayaKPT@Sepanggar programme. Prof Rosalam is to his left.
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 23): A basic masterplan for Sepanggar is expected to be launched in January next year, said Sepanggar Member of Parliament Datuk Ts Mustapha Sakmud.
“This basic masterplan will focus on basic infrastructure in Sepanggar and is currently in the preparation stage, as phase one of the larger Sepanggar Masterplan 2025 – 2030.
“After this basic masterplan is completed, the next phases of the larger masterplan will include the addition of other models such as Living Labs as well as addressing squatter issues,” he told reporters after officiating the UpayaKPT@Sepanggar programme with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) at Kampung Kobuni, Inanam on Saturday.
On the squatter issue, he said they are planning to carry out mapping works in Sepanggar, to firstly determine the number and location of its villages and squatter settlements.
“We have to understand that when we deep dive into Sepanggar, the squatter settlements there comprise 70 percent locals, while the rest are undocumented.
“So we have to figure a long-term plan to get them out of these settlements, such as building People’s Housing Projects (PPR) to relocate them to,” he said.
Mustapha said the biggest challenge in executing these masterplans is not the infrastructure aspect, but how to change the mindset of the Sepanggar community.
“For example, the residents of Kampung Kobuni in Inanam had managed to unite and made it a rubbish-free village.
“So we want to educate the Sepanggar community, especially near the seasides, to also think this way.
“This requires an extraordinary leap but that is the challenge. Insyallah, we will do our best,” he said.
Previously, Mustapha had reportedly stated that the Sepanggar Masterplan 2025 – 2030 will cover various facets of development, not only from the physical aspect but also human capital.
He said this five-year masterplan will be scrutinised by the district’s parliamentary side, utilising expertise from relevant parties such as Institute for Development Studies (IDS).
Meanwhile, he said the UpayaKPT@Sepanggar programme is an initiative by the Higher Education Ministry (KPT) in collaboration with UMS to popularise the results of researches that have been carried out by institutes of higher learning, so that they can be utilised for the development of communities.
Mustapha, who is also KPT Deputy Minister, said through this programme, they will implement several community projects based on the approach of transferring knowledge and technology to the community, such as aquaponics cultivation as well as the production of mushroom blocks, compost fertiliser and clay Batik.
“The implementation of such projects is in line with KPT’s aspirations to empower the community as well as the Malaysia Madani concept.
“I would like to urge all parties, especially higher learning institutes, to work together to develop the community and society to progress and prosper,” he said.
Also present was UMS deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Ir Dr Rosalam Sarbatly.
